A GROUP has raised funds for two Dorset hospitals through producing and selling wooden lightboxes which people can keep as a reminder of the lockdown period.

The group has now raised more than £3,000 which will go towards Dorset County Hospital and Bridport Community Hospital.

The idea came from Bryan Wrixon, from Bridport, in early April. Mr Wrixon wanted to keep those isolated and children entertained and focussed on a positive project.

He joined forces with his neighbour Simon Hughes, his wife Nikki Wrixon and his daughter Helen Wrixon, a radiographer at Dorset County Hospital.

They produced wooden lightboxes with the idea that people could get creative with the decoration of them with small LED battery lights on the inside of the boxes.

Members of the public were able to purchase their own boxes for a fee of £6.50 whilst more than 800 boxes were given to frontline workers at Dorset County Hospital and Bridport Community Hospital as a thank you for their hard work in the fight against coronavirus.

Helen Wrixon said: “We're really pleased with the amount raised, Dad never expect it to be as successful as it became. It's something that people can keep as a reminder of this time.

“I think the boxes have brought a lot of joy to people. It has been a good project for people to do when they were stuck at home and trying to keep the kids entertained.

“It took on a life of its own, people really took an interest in it.

“Dad started off just making a few for his street for the weekly NHS clap and it took off from there.

“My colleagues at the hospital were really appreciative of it, they thought it was a really great idea. Lots of people wanted additional boxes for their family members.”

She added: “It kept everyone busy and raised money for a good cause.

“We've seen some fantastic designs, lots of people have decorated their boxes with the rainbow and one person covered it with newspaper clippings from the lockdown period.

“It gave people a positive project to work on because obviously a lot of people's mental health and general motivation was dipping during lockdown.”