A ride-on mini Tesla electric car has been donated to the Children’s Ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.

The Tesla mini car is battery powered, just like its full sized equivalent, meaning children who are admitted to the Children’s Ward can whizz around the wards and practice their driving skills while they recover.

Children who are in the hospital for surgery will also be able to drive the car from the ward to the operating theatre which is a great way of calming any nerves they may have.

The car was donated by the Tesla Owner’s Group UK (TOGUK), a group of car enthusiasts who wanted to bring a smile to children across the UK with their very own Tesla car. The group has used donations and money from Tesla owner Elon Musk to fund the project and get a mini Tesla to hospitals and hospices across the country.

Jane McCall, play specialist at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is absolutely fantastic for the children on the ward. The kids love it and have been racing up and down having a great time. It will make a huge difference to children when they’re poorly and is a fantastic gesture from the Tesla Owner’s Group, we can’t thank them enough.”

Pippa Kieser, member of TOGUK, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to donate the mini Tesla to the hospital. Hopefully the experience will bring a lot of smiles and happy memories to the young visitors.”