Vintage Club Tractor Run Tracks £2,000 For Sick Kids

A vintage club’s tractor runs have raised £2,000 for our charity, inspired by our hospital’s life-changing care.

Chepstow and District Vintage Club in South Wales made great tracks with two fun-filled charity tractor runs, raising vital funds on behalf of our Children’s Hospital and another cause close to their hearts. The community club was inspired to support our brave patients by club member Justin Cooke, known as ‘Bamper’, in heartfelt gratitude for his grandson Toby’s care.

Toby Cooke was only 3 months old when he started having severe gastric issues and pain. His worried mum, Lucy, took him to see his GP, and initially, doctors couldn’t identify anything wrong. Toby was taken back to see the GP on many occasions over the next 6 months.

As the little boy’s painful symptoms grew worse, Toby’s family were deeply concerned for his wellbeing and desperately sought answers. His GP finally referred him to his local hospital, and after an initial appointment Toby was urgently referred and was transferred to our Children’s Hospital’s colorectal department.

Our hospital’s specialists were at last able to diagnose Toby with a rare colorectal condition that required surgery. After months of feeling in the dark and helplessly watching her son suffering, Lucy felt immense relief knowing what was wrong with her son but also felt worried for his future.

Toby received his life-changing colorectal surgery our hospital, and his family were thrilled to see him recovering well. Now three-and-a-half years old, the little boy is still under our hospital’s care and needs to take regular medication. But despite his challenges, Toby is still full of smiles and is able to get out and about and enjoy his childhood.

Inspired by Toby’s care and the little boy’s love of tractors and farming, the vintage club brought the community together for fundraising tractor runs around Chepstow in support of the hospital’s colorectal ward. 70 tractors and Land Rovers made muddy tracks around the local area, followed by a well-attended charity raffle. The community dug deep to support sick kids and raised a collective £2,000.

Lucy said: “It’s been a very tough and isolating time, but everyone at the Children’s Hospital was so supportive and really listened to us, especially his colorectal nurses, Emily and Gail, and Toby’s surgeon, Dr Lander.

“As a family we can never say thank you enough to the hospital and it’s been amazing to give something back. We’re also very grateful to Chepstow and District Vintage Club for raising the money and for all their help and support.”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising, said: “Toby’s family have been through difficult and worrying times, and we’re so glad that our hospital has been able to support them and help them find answers and hope.

“The money raised will make a huge difference to our colorectal ward, and help us deliver the best possible care, equipment and environments for sick kids like Toby, who need life-changing care.”