Coronary care services in South Tyneside received a massive boost today after the Gazette's Cheque Up! appeal smashed through its target figure.

At the start of the year, we set a £50,000 goal to buy a vital tool which detects early signs of heart disease and defects for the cardiology department at South Tyneside District Hospital.

The first few months of the appeal – a joint campaign with the local Heartcall charity – proved a slog as the economic downturn bit hard, but donations reached £35,000.

This week, however, Cheque Up! was given a massive boost by a £40,000 donation, courtesy of a legacy left to Heartcall by a brother and sister from Cleadon.

The pair, both in their 90s when they died recently, were close friends of Heartcall founder Syd Nicholson.

The £75,000 total will now be added to £40,000 Heartcall already has in the bank.

And Mr Nicholson today revealed he now had enough funds to order an advanced form of the echocardiogram, a hi-tech ultra-scan which can detect heart problems.

Mr Nicholson said: "I was originally going to order an echocardiogram valued at £92,000 but we have enough now to buy an advanced piece of the equipment valued at £115,000. It may cost £23,000 more but it has a probe so will prove even more effective. It is nothing but the best for the people of South Tyneside – that's what they deserve!

"Of course it does mean that we have not much left in the bank but the way I look at it, the money is no good lying in the bank. We will just have to start again from scratch."

Gazette editor John Szymanski said: "I am delighted that the Cheque Up appeal has once again shown how generous South Tynesiders really are.

"It is an amazing feat, considering the tough economic climate, and has resulted in a vital piece of equipment which will save many lives.

"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, and also to Syd for his tireless dedication and determination in fundraising for such a worthy cause."

Mr Nicholson, who has helped raised £750,000 for hospital services over more than 25 years, described reaching the appeal target as an "early Christmas present for the people of the borough".

He added: "I want to thank everyone who has supported the appeal, we couldn't have done it without you. I am so relieved we got there in the end."

Barbara Black, head of cardiology services at the hospital, said: "I can't thank Syd and the Gazette readers for their generosity. This really is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment which can look at the shape and size of the heart, heart valves and blood flows.

"We currently have two echos and the new model will replace the model which is about eight years old. We have consultants from other hospitals who are amazed at the range and quality of equipment we have here and it's all down to Syd and the people who support him."

The new echocardiogram will be delivered to the Harton Lane hospital in South Shields early in the new year.