Queen Alexandra Hospital's charity is given a welcome boost by News salesÂ

Editor Mark Waldron presented Mark Cubbon, the chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, with a cheque for £647.51. The money was raised by The News donating 10p for every copy of the paper sold by its onsite vendor. 

Mr Cubbon said: 'I'd like to say a big thank you to all the readers. We're always very grateful for all the support we get from the community. 

'Donations allow us to invest in ways to improve the care we provide patients - to go above and beyond for them

'We have a series of big fundaising schemes, and in the not-too-distant future we will be launching another fundraising appeal.'

The donation will go towards the Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, set up to improve hospital facilities and provide better patient care. The News plans to make regular donations from the proceeds of onsite sales. 

Mr Waldron said: 'The News prides itself in providing local news where people want to read it.

'And so we really appreciate the QA allowing our representative Marion into the hospital to sell the paper to patients.

'I am delighted that we have been able to hand over the first instalment today.' 

Marion Emery, 61, who has been selling newspapers at Queen Alexandra since May of this year, said: 'The highlight of the job is coming in and knowing I make a difference to someone's life.

'If they're stuck in their beds, a lot of the patients will ask the nursing staff to pop down and get them a paper.'

Marion sells up to 70 papers a day. 

She said: 'I'm doing a service for the patients. It's a lovely job.'