Charity supporter’s bid to see our garden grow
Date of release: 19 February 2024
A bright and beautiful garden for young patients to play in at New Cross Hospital is at the centre of a major charity appeal being led by super fundraisers Jason and Aimee Guy.
From left to right: Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, Amanda Winwood, Head of Charity at RWT, Jason Guy, and Aimee Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer
They are supporting The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity to get the project off the ground – and it has got the backing of retired footballer and TV star Neil “Razor” Ruddock, who is all set to have a Wolves tattoo this week to boost the cause!
Wolves fan Jason’s daughter Olivia, now three, was born with 1p36, a rare condition that typically causes severe intellectual disability. She spent around six weeks in the Neonatal Unit at New Cross from October 2020.
Jason has supported a host of fundraising events, working with the RWT Charity, and the garden project is his latest passion. He has managed to net £8,000 so far towards the £30,000 appeal.
The charity’s wishlist for the garden, which will be close to the Children’s Ward at the hospital and will focus on sensory features, includes:- Quiet space for a bench surrounded by wild flowers
- A walk-through space with paths wide enough for wheelchairs and beds
- Lighting/projections for nighttime use
- Outside activities with the Play Team
- Cinema projection space
- Soft flooring
- Rainbow canopies that project colours on to the floor when the sun shines through
- Sound system to play music outside
- Wall of stars in memory of patients
- Thank you wall to show project supporters
Jason said: “My family knows only too well how hospital stays can be an anxious time for young patients and anything that can help take their minds of their treatment or help boost their spirits is very much welcomed.
“This is a fantastic project that I know – from speaking to staff on the ward and the Charity – will make a real difference to poorly children and their families and carers. I’m thrilled that Razor has agreed to have a Wolves tattoo. He’s never played for them so that makes it all the more entertaining! On a serious note, it’s really good of him and I hope it will bring in funds for the garden appeal.”
Jason’s wife Aimee held a Valentine’s disco at Perton Golf Club last week, splitting the proceeds 50/50 to support the garden appeal as well as someone fighting cancer.
Razor will be having his tattoo this Friday 23 February at New Ink in Tettenhall and further events are planned. Donations can be made at Jason’s Just Giving Page
Kirsty Lewis, Senior Matron, said: “Jason is such a generous supporter of our hospital, and he always gives us 100 per cent with his enthusiasm and dedication. This appeal is so important to us because it will give our patients an outside haven and somewhere they can forget about the hospital environment for a while.”
Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager, said everyone was looking forward to seeing Razor’s unique fundraiser this week.
She said: “I’m not sure his former Spurs, Southampton and Liverpool team-mates will be too impressed, but it is definitely all for a good cause and we thank him for being such a good sport.”
Jason and Aimee have raised a huge £405,000 to date for their favourite charities Breast Cancer Now, The RWT Neonatal Unit and 1p36 Family Trust as their daughter is living with this genetic condition.
