Willow and ‘Willow’s Warriors’ put on an event with heart raising funds for Cardiac Services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital

Willow Williams a 9-year-old girl, with help from her ‘Warriors’, arranged and hosted a fundraiser ‘Have a Heart for Lee’ in The Talbot Hotel Ledbury in aid of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity. The event raised funds for Cardiac Services at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The fundraiser was a huge success with an outpouring of support from the community seeing a live auction, raffle, local bands performing, craft stalls and food vendors all coming together to help raise over £8,000.

Willow Williams and her original team of ‘Willow’s Warriors’, formed of family and friends who have created a real support network for Willow, planned the extravaganza after being inspired by the care her friend Lee received following two cardiac events. Willow choose to support her local hospitals charity to make a difference for the patients, staff and services where Lee was treated.

On the fundraiser Willows says; “I wanted to help Lee and to get all of the things that he needs so his heart doesn’t give up. It’s been amazing planning the event and I really looked forward to making a piñata.”

Lindsay and Ben Williams, Willow’s parents say; “It has been great to see Willow get so involved with the planning and seeing the community come together has been really moving. Our heartfelt thanks to the original Willow’s Warrior team; Kim, Andy, Simon, Rav, Hayley, Merv and Lee. And our grateful thanks to those who joined our ‘Warriors; Kay Curtiss, Katherine Neale of Malvern Tutoring, all the staff at The Talbot, Wadworth Inns, the bands Frontrunner, The Lighter Thieves and St Jimmy, Gurney’s Family Butchers, Rob and Leigh Schooling of Meridian Speciality Packaging, Rob Taylerson of Real Time Audio, Tom Blackford, James Pugh, Elaine Fox, all of the businesses who have donated the most incredible prizes, and our families for being right behind us every step of the way.”

Lucy Brown, Charity Engagement Officer, at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity says; “Supporting Willow and her Warriors throughout this event has been a real highlight of Worcestershire Acute Hospital’s Charity calendar, seeing the outpouring of support from the local community has been really special. As a Charity we support the additional over and above enhancements separate from the NHS Core provision and the funds raised will make a real difference for the patients, staff and services across Cardiology Services at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Thank you.”

To find out more about Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity please see their website wahcharity.org or contact [email protected]