Jo Randall (30) was inspired to take the plunge after a similar piece of equipment saved the life of her friend and former colleague Leslie Jones, who recently received a double-lung transplant.

Mrs Jones (53), of Dersingham, is chairman of Lynn-based support group West Norfolk Breathe for Life and the money has been put towards a new £5,000 respirator for the town's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

She is now recovering well from her transplant, but was very ill at the beginning of the year when she was rushed to the hospital suffering total respiratory failure.

Mrs Randall, who works at Lynn's Dental Access Centre, said: "I was so grateful the machine saved Lesley's life and I knew the hospital was short of them.

"I wanted to give thanks to the hospital for helping Lesley to pull through. I really didn't think she would see the year out."

Mrs Randall, mum to Molly (3), would like to thank everyone who supported her, especially her parents who helped round-up sponsors.

The group, which offers a helping hand to people with lung conditions hopes to present the new piece of equipment to the hospital by the end of the month.