IZZYE Topped Fundraising Charts Again

An up-and-coming singer, songwriter and music producer from Bilston who raised the roof at her charity gig also raised over £1,025 for us as thanks for the care she received as a child.

Eighteen-year-old Isabella Giorgio-Jones, also known by her stage name, IZZYE, has been fundraising for our charity for half of her life, to show her appreciation for the doctors and nurses at our hospital who cared for her as a baby.

Izzy was born prematurely with a condition which meant part of her digestive system didn’t develop correctly and at just two-weeks-old, Izzy was referred to our hospital. Izzy received life-saving stoma surgery, to allow waste to exit her body through an opening in her abdomen, and a couple of years later, Izzy underwent another operation to reverse it.

Izzy’s surgeries left her with a scar on her lower abdomen which grew with her but she never really thought about how it got there until she was about nine, and curious friends asked her during a swimming lesson. Unable to give her friends an answer, Izzy asked her parents, and she was amazed to learn how Birmingham Children’s Hospital saved her life.

From that moment, Izzy began fundraising to say thank you to the hospital and to help other children with similar conditions. To begin with, Izzy held stalls at local events and fairs, selling her pre-loved clothes and toys, and when she turned 12, she began using her talents as a singer, holding charity concerts at social clubs with other artists.

Most recently, Izzy performed at a charity night at Hagley Golf Club, where members and guests dug deep to help her reach her latest fundraising total.

Izzy said: “When my parents explained what Birmingham Children’s Hospital had done for me as a baby, something clicked and I just knew I had to do something to give back and say thank you.

“I’ve had further operations and procedures relating to my condition since I first began my fundraising and it’s just inspired me to raise even more. This time around I’m really pleased I can use my music career to support a cause so close to my heart.”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Having begun her fundraising so young after being inspired by her own care, it’s wonderful to see Izzy using her incredible talents to carry on supporting our charity as an adult.

“The funds Izzy has raised for us will go on to help us do more for the 100,000 sick kids our hospital treats every year, and support families just like hers.”