Aimee’s on the run at the double for garden appeal
Date of release: 15 March 2024
A mum whose poorly daughter was treated in Wolverhampton’s Neonatal Unit is going on the run to raise money for a garden appeal to help young patients.
Aimee and Emma gearing up for their challenges
Aimee Guy is running the Stafford Half Marathon this Sunday followed by the Wolverhampton 10k next Sunday.
She is swelling 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.
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, has been running up to 35 miles a week preparing for the two events, which she will be running with friend Emma Bernard.
Emma, who celebrates her 34th birthday today and is 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.
“We have been training really hard,” said Aimee, who is a full-time carer for Olivia and part-time recruitment consultant for Staff4Today. “I’ve run a couple of half marathons and a full marathon before but that was pre little babies, so it’s been like starting from scratch.
“Then Livvy had a big hospital admission, so it was challenging getting back into training.”
But if Aimee is ever in need of a pick-me-up, she only has to look at Livvy.
“I always say she’s my inspiration,” she added. “She does everything with a smile – even when she was intubated after being in a coma, she was smiling.
“So whenever it’s raining and cold and I don’t want to go out, I look to her and see what she’s going through and soon get out there.”
Running has become therapy says Aimee, and with Emma, they started with parkrun (5k) before progressing to longer distances.
“After doing parkrun together, we built it up so our Saturday long runs are longer than the distances we’re doing over the next two weekends,” added Aimee.
“But as for what times we’re aiming for, I’m keeping that to myself because I don’t want to jinx it!”
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 JustGiving - Jason and Razor’s fundraiser for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity
ENDS
- For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net
