AN INSPIRATIONAL couple have now raised more than £60,000 in memory of their son.
Craig and Barbara Newnes, from Whitby, lost two-year-old Oliver to a rare brain abscess, which effects one in 900,000 children, in October 2007.
Following their son’s death the couple set up the Oliver Newnes Memorial Fund and have since donated thousands of pounds to the Countess of Chester and Alder Hey hospitals, where he was treated.
Craig and Barbara, proud parents of nine-month-old twins Harvey and Samuel, have just visited the Countess to hand over their final cheque worth £26,000.
The money they’ve raised will be split between the Human Milk Bank, the Women & Children’s Unit and the Special Care Baby Unit.
Fundraising manager Kate Taylor said: “Barbara and Craig have done an amazing job to raise such a huge amount, they truly are an inspiration. We are very grateful for their support.”
Mr Newnes said: “We didn’t think the appeal would be as big as this when we started it, but it has really taken off.
“We’ve still got £20,000 sitting there which we want to give to the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust who take terminally-ill children away for weekends.
“I’d like to thank family and friends for all their help and support, the Castrol club and local banks and companies who have donated money.”
The couple have raised cash through charity dinners, a golf day and other fun events such as a bike ride and bowling matches.
And they are not planning to stop there, with Everton fan Craig hoping to organise a charity football match in May involving former Goodison Park legends.
