A BUDGET airline company has donated €15,000 to a Sutton Scotney-based children’s hospice.

Representatives of Ryanair visited Naomi House Children’s Hospice to hand over the cheque, donated through the company’s ‘Pay for a Day’ scheme. The money was raised through the airline’s on-board ‘Scratch to Win cards’.

A day at Naomi House and Jacksplace might include respite, emergency, end of life and post bereavement care for children and families.

A day of care at Naomi House costs around £5,800. This includes costs such as nurses, carers, play activities, medical equipment and general overheads.

Ryanair will cover all the costs of care at the hospices on July 8 for a period of two years. The date is the anniversary of the first operations of the low-cost airline company, which was started in 1985.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “We are delighted to once again support the hospices. Our crews are passionate about our charities.”