Family’s dedication raises £7,500 for Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
A kind-hearted Bewdley family has raised thousands of pounds for Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
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Tim and Sharon Winterburn, alongside daughters Grace and Katy, held a fundraising event at Kidderminster Harriers Social Club to raise money for the charity as they marked the 10th anniversary since Grace underwent life-changing 12-hour spinal fusion surgery.
The family has now raised exactly £7,500.10, also helped by funds driven by Grace as she took on the recent Birmingham Half Marathon.
Grace, now 21 and working as a social media assistant producer for BBC Morning Live, went under the knife when she was just 11 years old to correct a 90 and 60 degree scoliosis, a spinal curvature condition which can limit breathing, lung capacity and heart function.
Following the operation, she now has two titanium rods and 23 screws inserted into her spine.
The charity event saw over 100 people attending and dozens of local businesses donating food, raffle prizes and auction items. Businesses who supported the event included Mr Winterburn’s firm, Kidderminster-based TWS Window and Door Systems, together with catering business Paisley Flour, Gaunt’s Funeral Directors, The Wash House Stourport and Wyre Forest restaurants the Vhujon and Spice Empire.
Grace Winterburn said: “Staff at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital are simply incredible. With it being 10 years since my surgery, I wanted to give back an ounce of what they gave to me, and to help others receive the level of care I did when I was at my weakest and most vulnerable.
“From relearning how to walk 10 years ago, to now feeling stronger than ever and living life to the fullest, I can’t begin to imagine what position I’d be in if it weren’t for the exceptional staff and specialists at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
“The generosity of friends, family and strangers has completely blown me away. My family and I would like to thank everyone for their kindness in helping us raise over £7,500 both through the charity event and my half marathon. This money will help so many others receive the best care possible when getting their brand new spines!”
Grace completed the Birmingham Half Marathon in two hours, 20 minutes.
