SUN Valley Foods is helping to make Martha Trust Hereford's residents a little more comfortable, by giving £900 to buy an ultrasound for the physiotherapy room.

The nursing home is specially established to care for profoundly physically and intellectually disabled children and young adults. A major part of patients' care is therapy and ultrasound gives pain relief and reduces swelling of joints, a common problem with wheelchair-bound people.

The organisation applied for a share of Sun Valley's annual local charity donation for 2000-2001, and has now been awarded the money needed to buy the ultrasound.

As Sun Valley employees opted to support children and healthcare charities last year, charity co-ordinator, Jane Melton, felt that Martha Trust was an especially worthy cause to help.

"Martha Trust really makes a difference to the lives of people with profound disabilities. It offers support and reassurance for the families and a caring environment for the patients. The Therapy Centre is an integral part of the patients' care, so we were delighted to help the Trust get such an essential piece of equipment," said Jane.

Jeremy Laurie, trust director, added: "Our physiotherapy room now has most of the equipment that we need and the patients are benefiting from it everyday. It is always difficult to find continued funding and Sun Valley's contribution is more than appreciated."