WHIPPS Cross University Hospital is to bolster its Big Push appeal with a page on a social networking website.

The Leytonstone hopsital is gathering support for the campaign, which aims to raise £350,000 for equipment and services in the maternity department, with a Facebook page.

Elizabeth Goshawk, senior fund-raising manager, said: “The page will be updated on a regular basis to include fund-raising events planned for the appeal as well as photo albums created from these events.

“I also hope that local mothers will join perhaps as a forum to discuss their experiences of Whipps or people are interested in adding themselves as a friend as they were born here.”

More than 5,000 families use maternity services at the hospital every year, which is the equivalent of about 100 families a week.

The campaign aims to provide families with improved spaces and state-of-the-art equipment , funded by The Big Push.

To become a Big Push Facebook fan, visit facebook.com and enter “the Big Push appeal” into the search option.