A young patient who was treated for scoliosis at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) has continued to support the hospital by donating hundreds of pounds to its charity.
Autumn Robinson, little sister Violet and mum Anna set up a fundraising stall outside their home to raise money for the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund.
Autumn is a spinal patient at ROH and recently received surgery for scoliosis at The Portland Hospital for Women and Children in London to correct two curves in her spine. She was visiting Mr Mehta’s clinic when she decided she wanted to do something to say thank you.
Her mum, Anna, said: “Autumn was very excited that she gained an extra 5cm after surgery meaning she no longer had to use a car seat!”
A pick 'n' mix station was installed outside their home for their local community to enjoy. 10 large boxes of Haribos and lots of pennies later, an amazing £422 was raised.
Champion fundraiser
This isn't the first time Autumn and her family have raised funds for the ROH.
Last year, Autumn celebrated her birthday with a slightly different party.
She held a fundraiser and asked for donations instead of birthday presents, inviting her friends and family to spend money on games, raffles, and food and drink and raising £800 in the process.
Fundraising Officer Elaine Chapman visited Autumn’s school to collect her generous donations during a special assembly, but the Trust wanted to go a step further to say thank you.
Athlete Tully Kearney, who has also been diagnosed with scoliosis, immediately said yes when the Trust asked her if she would surprise Tully and thank her for her efforts.
Above: Autumn, Tully Kearney and Violet (please note: this photo was taken before social measures were put in place
Tully brought some of her medals for Autumn and Violet to try on, and gave Autumn a gift she had made for her a few days earlier.
Autumn brought with her a special teddy, a giraffe with its own scoliosis brace (a gift from the Trust as a thank you for her fundraising efforts). The pair discovered they had a shared love of the pink camouflage brace they both had to wear during their treatment.
The money Autumn raised was used to refurbish one of the hospital’s Young Adult rooms. The rooms are decorated with wall art and have books and game consoles for patients to use whilst in hospital. Tully, Autumn and her family were given a tour of a similar room and shown how important Autumn’s donation was.
Autumn's latest donation will be put towards a new Outpatients facility in the Children and Young People's Centre at the ROH.
You can find out more about how you help the ROH Charitable Fund change patients’ lives here.
