St Helier Hospital staff have been bowled over after a Carshalton club donated thousands of pounds.

The Shopland Select bowlers donated £2,200 to the hospital’s dementia ward after they named the St Helier League of Friends as their nominated charity of the year.

The money went directly to Ward C2 after the bowlers chose the league last week.

Debi Miller, lead nurse for St Helier’s older persons assessment and liaison service, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to bowlers across the region who donated to the Shopland Select fundraising efforts.

“This generous donation will make a real difference to the patients we care for, as we’ll be putting it towards the cost of creating a sensory room on the ward.”

A spokeswoman for St Helier Hospital added: “Sensory rooms can help to improve communication and memory, as the focus on sight, sound and touch helps to enhance feelings of comfort and well-being, relieving stress and pain.”