AN INSPIRATIONAL Halesowen charity fundraiser is just £800 away from fulfilling her dream of buying a mobile sensory unit for stricken children in Russells Hall Hospital.

Katie Bennett founded the DG NHS charity shop on Queensway in January and is closing in on the £4,500 needed to purchase a revolutionary sensory unit for the children and babies ward at the hospital.

Through selling clothes, bric-a-brac, books, costumes and all manner of items in her shop, as well as turning it into a haven for volunteers and those just in need of a cuppa Miss Bennett has already raised £3,700.

The Rompa mobile sensory units use fibre optics, bubble tubes, music and smells to stimulate and relax children and adults alike.

Miss Bennett said: "These sensory units are just wonderful and it is been my dream and aim to raise the £4,500 needed to buy one for the children in Russells Hall Hospital.

"They are also could be used in maternity units, mental health wards and for anyone who needs to chill out and relax."

Miss Bennett, who is also a nursery nurse, has been a firm fixture in Halesowen for five years after founding two charity shops which raised money for national children's charity Sunbeams.

However, after raising thousands for Sunbeams Miss Bennett wanted to raise money for children closer to home and chose to the children's ward at Russells Hall Hospital to benefit from her endeavours.

She said: "We have had a great year so far in terms of interest and the money raised, the people of Halesowen never fail to impress me with their generosity, but we are going for a big push in the autumn so we can present the sensory unit to the hospital before Christmas."

"We are always in need of donations whether it be clothes, costumes, bric-a-brac, baby clothes, blankets and other stuff we can sell in the shop.

She added: “I am constantly looking for reliable and positive thinking volunteers to help us move forward and upwards and all donations are gratefully received however small and of course anything we can sell in our shops.”

Miss Bennett's target next year is to raise enough cash to build a sensory area at the hospital which will include fibre optic lights, bubble tubes, massage chairs, music therapy, a tactile wall, aromatherapy and a hydro pool.

To donate items to the shop or to volunteer phone 07807 305 115.