A Cross Hills company is leading a project to convert an old train carriage into a useable space in the grounds of Airedale Hospital.
Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, the official NHS charity for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, won the retired pacer train in a competition run by the Department for Transport.
Its aim is to turn it into a useable space for young patients to get away from the clinical setting of the hospital, as well as for schools and community groups to use as an educational space.
The charity is working with Cross Hills-based interiors company, Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd to plan the project - which aims to create a modern, multi-purpose space which will be exciting for children, and compliant with NHS infection and prevention standards.
The carriage will include separate but complementary areas such as a library, craft table, chalkboard, sensory zone, quiet and comfortable areas. The plans also include a restored driver’s cab for children to play in.
Ultimate is working with its suppliers and other partners to complete the refurbishment free of charge and the project is due to be completed by the end of the year. Teams have arrived on site now and construction work is starting.
Mark Hickey, Owner/Director at Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd, said: “When the train carriage idea was first presented to us, it took us all of five minutes to decide that this is something we wanted to be part of and support.
“Obviously, Airedale Hospital is our local hospital and a large proportion of the team at Ultimate also live locally, so the opportunity to get involved was agreed by all almost immediately. I think most of us have either been treated or know someone who has been looked after by the wonderful people at the hospital, so it makes us immensely happy to give something back.”
Jodie Hearnshaw, manager at Airedale Hospital and Community Charity, said: “Airedale Hospital and Community Charity won the train carriage in a competition run by the Department for Transport back in 2019. We’ve been working with Ultimate since early this year to bring our vision for the carriage to life and make it an exciting and innovative space for our young patients and community groups.
“It’s exciting to see the work starting on the carriage and we’re looking forward to seeing it progress over the next couple of months.
“We’re extremely grateful to Ultimate for supporting us with the refurbishment. They are a great company to work with and we’re really pleased to be working with a local company – their office is only five minutes from ours. This project will be done by the local community, for the local community. We can’t wait to reveal the finished project to everyone!”
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