A Warwick girl’s bid to raise money to fund new toys for poorly children in hospital has been handed a further boost from a leading Midlands law firm.
Lola Poyner, aged 6, from Warwick has already raised more than £2,000 for Warwick Hospital and University Hospital Coventry and has now received her biggest single donation yet with a further £175 from Leamington based solicitors, Wright Hassall.
Inspiration for Lola’s fundraising challenge came after the youngster spent around four weeks in both hospitals at the start of the year after she was diagnosed with osteomyelitis - a type of bone infection - in her right leg, which required surgery.
Throughout her stay Lola was entertained by the range of toys that the NHS team were able to provide her with, prompting Lola and her family to give something back to both hospitals to ensure other poorly children can benefit from toys, too.
And while Lola’s week-long challenge earlier this year saw her carry out over 50 laps of her garden whilst using her walking frame or crutches, the money being raised from her heroic attempt is still coming in.
Lola’s father Nick Poyner said: “The impact of Lola being gifted a new toy in hospital brightened her mood so, so much and made her feel cared for and looked after. This wasn't as straight forward as it sounds during current covid times, as the hospitals are reliant on donations of new, packaged and previously untouched toys.
“We’d like to thank everybody who has donated to Lola’s cause - including Wright Hassall for such a large one-off donation - and we are currently working with both hospitals to see what toys they are in need of to cater for the children they are looking after.”
Wright Hassall’s donation now takes Lola’s fundraising total to £2,290 - smashing her initial target to raise £200.
The gesture comes as part of Wright Hassall’s 175 acts of kindness initiative which is taking place throughout 2021 to mark the law firm’s 175th anniversary. The initiative encourages people to nominate an individual for an act of kindness they have carried out, with a monthly winner being selected to receive a £175 prize that is donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.
Robert Lee, a Corporate Lawyer at Wright Hassall, added: “We wanted to run an acts of kindness initiative to shine a light on those individuals, such as Lola, who epitomise the kind and tight-knit community that we are proud to have been operating in for 175 years.
“Lola is an inspiration for children and adults alike, and we wish her all the best in both her recovery and fundraising.”
For more information about Lola’s fundraising efforts visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/lolas-legendary-laps
