A FORMER Blackburn mayor has handed over two new dialysis machines to the town’s hospital after raising £70k in his year in office.

Councillor Salim Mulla, more than tripled his initial target of £20,000 through fundraising in his mayoral year said the equipment was a gift “from all the people of Blackburn with Darwen”.

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Cllr Mulla, the former chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, chose the two dialysis machines and raising awareness of kidney disease because his wife and former mayoress Sayeeda had to wait six years to find a suitable match for a transplant after developing the illness just over eight years ago.

She is now in good health thanks to the treatment.

He visited Royal Blackburn Hospital yesterday to see the machines turned on.

Cllr Mulla, who represents Queens park, said: “It’s a very proud and emotional day to see the equipment here at the hospital.

“It is testament to the generosity of the people in Blackburn and Darwen that we were able to smash the original target.

“The total cost of them was £30k and the remainder of the money will be used to provide support for kidney disease sufferers .

“I would also particularly like to thank the Al-Imdaad Foundation whose efforts and support led to £20,000 being raised.”

The machines will be used to treat people needing kidney dialysis from throughout East Lancashire.

Mr Mark Wilson, matron on the Critical Care Unit, said: “These machines will really benefit critically ill people in East Lancashire.

“We want to say a big thank you to Cllr Mulla and the Al-Imdaad Foundation UK for their fundraising efforts.”

The Urology Service sits within the surgical division at the Haslingden Road site.

The current service is provided by six consultants, supported by a dedicated nursing team, a band of junior doctors and a medical secretarial service .