A FUNDRAISER started collecting 10 times the amount of money he needed for a piece of equipment, after being quoted the wrong cost.

Billy Birch had been gathering cash for a special fridge to store drugs in the Countess of Chester's A&E unit.

Because he was nearing his target, hospital fundraiser Janet Ratcliffe phoned the supplier to check availability and confirm the price had not increased.

She was quoted a price of £163.85, not £1,635 as she was originally told in December.

Mrs Ratcliffe said: 'Even though we'd been told it was a special type of lockable fridge, at the time we all thought it was exceptionally expensive.'

She has since received an apology from the supplier for the confusion caused.

Mrs Ratcliffe added: 'The good news is that the surplus funds Billy has raised will be used to purchase another piece of equipment that is needed in our A&E department.'

They have ordered a Bair Hugger, a forced-air blood/fluid warming product used to maintain appropriate patient temperatures.

Both pieces of equipment have been ordered and will be delivered in the next couple of weeks.

The fundraising office will be writing to everybody who has donated to Billy to explain the position and giving them the option of having their donation refunded.

Mrs Ratcliffe added: 'As always we are indebted to Billy and to all the people and companies who have made donations and supported us in this way.'