A kind-hearted woman from Castle Vale has raised over £3,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, after holding a mega raffle inspired by her friends’ little boy.

38-year-old Lisa Haynes used her contacts to pull together a whole host of prizes for a raffle in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where her good friends, Scott and Katie’s three-year-old son, Max, is being cared for, after he was diagnosed with complete renal failure.

The condition means that Max’s kidneys don’t work at all so he’s currently on the waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. Until then, Max spends 12-hours every day hooked up to a dialysis machine at home, which helps to filter waste from his blood, as his kidneys should have done.

Max has been under the hospital’s care for just over a year now and Scott and Katie have been keeping Lisa up to date with his condition. It was hearing about Max’s incredible treatment and the fantastic care that the hospital staff have shown to the whole family, that inspired Lisa to fundraise for the charity.

After gathering her raffle prizes from local businesses, which included a stunning garden pergola, £200 of vouchers, beauty treatments and balloon displays, with the help of her husband Wayne, Lisa set about selling tickets to friends, family and even neighbours and colleagues. Once Lisa had sold all of her tickets, she organised her draw, which she hosted live on Facebook, with the help of her friend and resident DJ, Lee Croft.

Lisa said: “Max’s diagnosis was devastating for Scott and Katie, but they can’t speak highly enough of the care that they’ve all received from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, from Max’s expert treatment to the support the staff have given to them and Max’s big brothers, Jack, Jordan, Charlie and Kai, who have been superstars throughout all of this. I wanted to hold a raffle to say thank you and give back to the hospital.

“I was blown away by the amount we’ve been able to raise, which will all go to the Renal Ward, where Max is a patient. I hope that it might be used to purchase activities or toys to help keep kids like Max occupied as they sit through their dialysis and treatments.”

Miranda Williams, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Our young patients’ stories touch many hearts but they also inspire the most incredible fundraising. Lisa’s raffle raised an incredible amount, so a massive thank you to her and everyone who bought a ticket or donated prizes. The money raised by our supporters makes a massive difference and enables us to do more for sick kids and their families.”