Aimee completes double challenge for garden appeal
Date of release: 27 March 2024
A mum whose poorly daughter was treated in Wolverhampton’s Neonatal Unit went on the run twice to raise around £1,500 for a garden appeal to help young patients.
Aimee and Jason Guy with daughter Olivia and friend Emma Bernard
Aimee Guy ran the Stafford Half Marathon followed by the Wolverhampton 10k in successive weekends.
She has swelled the funds of the £30,000 appeal The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity has set up to renovate its garden in the Children’s Ward at New Cross Hospital to more than £10,700.
Olivia Guy, the three-year-old daughter of Aimee, 40, and husband Jason, 46, has 1p36 deletion syndrome, a disorder that typically causes severe intellectual disability. She spent six weeks on the Neonatal Unit at New Cross Hospital from October 2020.
Both Aimee and serial fundraiser Jason are keen to boost the appeal and he has already kickstarted it by raising more than £9,200 when he and former footballer Neil “Razor” Ruddock had Millwall and Wolves tattoos recently.
Mum of four Aimee, of Trysull, ran up to 35 miles a week preparing for the two events, which she completed with friend Emma Bernard – and Jason in the latter.
Emma, 34, from Lower Penn, also has a connection with the Trust. Her twin nine-year-old boys were both treated at New Cross. Theo had sepsis in his eye socket and Abel had respiratory problems.
The pair completed their challenge in style, with both setting personal bests in the 10k. Aimee clocked 51 minutes, 37 seconds and Emma crossed the line in 51.03 in the event, which starts and finishes at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium.
Reflecting on the 10k race, Aimee, who is a full-time carer for Olivia and part-time recruitment consultant for Staff4Today, said: “We did start together but Emma was definitely quicker than me, although I made a bit up on the sprint finish.
“Jason did really well too – he ran one hour 11 minutes, so he went faster than he thought. But the main winner is the charity and boosting the fund.
“With gift aid, we’re nearly halfway there – we’ve got some amazing supporters so hats off to them.”
In the half marathon, Aimee had mixed feelings – she managed a new personal best shaving a few seconds off her previous personal best of 2:01 but finished just 45 seconds over the two-hour mark. Emma came home in 2:03, a new best by 12 minutes.
“I missed by ‘goal’ time by 45 seconds but even though my training takes me on hills around Wolverhampton, I massively underestimated the hills in Stafford – a couple of big hills felt like they were never-ending,” said Aimee.
Amanda Winwood, The RWT Charity Development Manager, said: “Well done Aimee and Emma and we’re really grateful for the Guy family’s continued support for this project.
“Their donations will benefit thousands of patients and their families going forward by giving them a space to play and relax during a difficult time.”
Anyone wanting to donate should visit the JustGiving page.
