Firm sends money for toys (From Witney Gazette)

Firm sends money for toys

3:51pm Thursday 7th December 2006

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WITNEY managing director Sally Cooper has scrapped the firm's Christmas cards this year to donate £1,000 to the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

Mrs Cooper, of Cooper Construction, in Station Lane, Witney, made the decision not to send out any cards this year, because she was keen to help pay for toys and other equipment at the new hospital, which is opening in January on the John Radcliffe Hospital site.

The mother-of-two told the Witney Gazette how she recalled the time when her daughter, Emma, needed treatment at the John Radcliffe when she was 11.

Mrs Cooper said: "Emma was run over by a car in Oxford, and she suffered liver damage and broken collar bone.

"She had tyre marks on her tummy - it was a very serious accident, and she spent five days in the hospital, before she was allowed to go home.

"I remember only too well having to sleep in a chair at my daughter's bedside, and how uncomfortable it was during a really anxious time.

"In the new hospital, parents will at least be able to get a bit of rest at their child's bedside."

Mrs Cooper said that her daughter's stay at the John Radcliffe Hospital coincided with film star Hugh Grant opening the hospital's adolescent unit.

She added: "He walked across the ward to see some of the patients, and sat down next to Emma and had a chat with her, which was very nice - everyone took lots of photos."

Mrs Cooper, who has another daughter, Laura, who is 21, said: "I recently went on a site visit at the new hospital, and saw for myself the stark contrast between the existing facilities and the new space that is being provided.

"In the current children's ward, I saw a boy in traction, and he had been in hospital for weeks.

"There were TVs and videos for him to watch, but I know when the new hospital opens, there will be even more for the children to do, and their schools will be able to e-mail work in for them."

Cooper Construction has been based in Witney for ten years, and builds local homes and carries out school refurbishments.

More than £13m has been raised towards the £15m needed to open the £30m hospital in January. Fundraising will continue throughout 2007.

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