Four companies have teamed up to sponsor visits to Lister Hospital in Stevenage by therapy ponies.

CWG Group and Pexhurst in Hertfordshire, GRM Roofing in Essex and Bauder in Suffolk have together sponsored the pony visits for a year.

The therapy ponies, usually funded by the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, visit the hospital every three weeks.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "They not only put smiles on the faces of patients, visitors and staff, but also help to reduce stress and make people feel more relaxed in the hospital environment."

The Comet: Charlie, Pickles and Romeo have been putting smiles on the faces of patients at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. Charlie, Pickles and Romeo have been putting smiles on the faces of patients at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. (Image: East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity)

James Utting, technical manager at Bauder, volunteers at the hospital in his spare time, supporting the patient engagement team with a variety of tasks, including helping with the pony visits on the wards.

James said: "It has been my pleasure to bring together what I have cheekily named the ‘Pony Club’. We are four businesses who are all passionate about giving back to the local community, and are proud to be partners to help make a real difference to those in need.

"Having seen first-hand how much joy the ponies bring to patients when they arrive on the ward, it’s wonderful to know that our funding will spread even more smiles at our hospital."

The Comet: Thea Harris, who died last year aged just five, loved visits from the therapy ponies when she was a patient at Lister Hospital.Thea Harris, who died last year aged just five, loved visits from the therapy ponies when she was a patient at Lister Hospital. (Image: East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals' Charity)

Stuart Byles, director at Pexhurst, added: "As a business, we are always keen to raise funds for causes which we believe benefit people in Hertfordshire.

"After hearing about the wonderful work the charity does, and especially the benefits the ponies bring to the patients, we wanted to help in whatever way we could.

"Such a simple but effective way of brightening up people’s days."

Lindsey Head, the owner of the ponies, has previously explained: "The ponies all have a good shampoo and have to be absolutely spotless and dust-free to come into a hospital environment, and they just love people stroking them and cuddling them and talking to them."

Beth McNeil, head of fundraising for the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity said: "Thank you so much to the wonderful ‘Pony Club’ for sponsoring the therapy ponies and bringing so much joy to the hospital. We are extremely grateful for their support.

"To make a donation to sponsor a visit, you can visit enhhcharity.org.uk/ponies or contact me on bethany.mcneil@nhs.net."