Department of Public Transportation staff have come together to support a former colleague with a donation to help with medical expenses.

Today they handed a cheque for $2,260 to the family of Anthony Lodge, a former dispatcher and inspector with the department.

The staff pitched in with bake sales, lunches and other fundraisers to help out with the cost of a heart transplant for Mr Lodge, who went to the United States in June.

A spokesman said that Mr Lodge will need to stay overseas for postoperative care if he is successful in receiving a heart.

Tori Burchall, the operations manager at the department, said staff were happy to do their part for Mr Lodge, who “has always been a great colleague and friend”.