Dozens of council staff have cycled hundreds of miles for Sheffield Hospitals Charity in recognition of a best friend's spinal care support.

The staff at North East Derbyshire District Council raised more than £470 for the Spinal Cord Injuries Centre at the Northern General Hospital with a sponsored cycleathon at some of the area's best loved leisure facilities.

Councillor Rosie Smith's best friend, Rosie Mayes received months of specialist support at the centre after suffering a serious car accident in 2009, prompting her to name Sheffield Hospitals Charity as one of the benefitting causes of her civic year.

“I have a personal reason for choosing the Spinal Cord Injuries Centre. My best friend suffered a spinal injury after being in a car accident and spent eight months in the centre.

“She received excellent care from the staff there. They helped her with physical and emotional rehabilitation. Learning to live with a spinal injury takes a lot of mental strength.

 “I am thankful that we have a specialised centre so close to North East Derbyshire because it enabled her family to be with her every day and for her friends to visit regularly during her recovery. I would like to support the great work that the Spinal Cord Injuries Centre do by raising money for new equipment, such as specialised physiotherapy aides.”The Spinal Cord Injuries Centre treats patients who have injured their spinal cord. It is the second largest specialist centre in the country and provides surgery, therapy and rehabilitation.

Each year more than 8,500 patients visit the Centre, from Sheffield and across South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The Centre houses three spinal wards, containing 64 beds. It provides a range of facilities to its patients including a dedicated outpatients facility, occupational therapy suite, surgical theatre, gym and hydro-pool.

To donate funds to support patients with spinal injuries, visitwww.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk/donate