HUNDREDS of local people at risk of health problems have been provided with new do-it-yourself blood pressure monitors, thanks to this summer’s successful Frodsham Charity Music Festival.

The 350 monitors – costing around £4,000 and supplied at a substantial discount by Lloyds Pharmacy - were donated from the proceeds of the increasingly popular annual music festival which showcases local bands to raise money for charities and organisations.

The monitors will be distributed to patients via Helsby and Elton Medical Practice, Frodsham Medical Practice, The Knoll Surgery and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trusts’ Community Services, allowing them to record blood pressure readings in the comfort of their own homes to help GPs decide whether treatment is needed.

An ECG machine, waiting room blood pressure monitor, with printer and 13 pulse oximeters, was also provided for Helsby Health Centre with a donation from the total of £16,538 raised at this year’s music festival, staged at Best Western Forest Hills Hotel and sponsored by many other local businesses.

Other donations went to MENCAP (Runcorn) toward a panto trip; 3rd Frodsham Sea Scouts, toward a new minibus; 4th Frodsham Scouts, toward new function equipment; Wheels-4-Wheels, toward providing powered wheelchairs for severely disabled children; and Frodsham Junior Football Club, toward the cost of new kit.