Let’s get Izzy – patient gets on her bike to raise £4,200

Schoolgirl Izzy Foley rode a mile on her bike every day for 28 days, accompanied by dad Dan Foley, 40, running alongside.

Albrighton villagers – plus supporters as far away as Cornwall and Singapore – gave generously, raising £4,217.50.

The donations will help fund a £7,000 first virtual reality headset on the Children’s Ward at New Cross Hospital through The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Charity.

These sets help relieve anxiety in younger patients facing challenging situations, such as having cannulas inserted.

Izzy wanted to give back after being a patient at New Cross Hospital since 2018, under Dr Sally Edwards, while her four-year-old brother Noah has also been a long-term patient.

A cystic fibrosis carrier, asthma sufferer Izzy was regularly blue-lighted to hospital as a baby until being discharged in January after Dr Edwards confirmed she is no longer asthmatic.

Mum Vicki Foley, 40, said: “Izzy wanted to give back and initially wanted to swim every day.

“But we decided that would be too challenging time-wise as she has after-school clubs.

“She stuck at it, not missing a day, even when it was raining heavily.”

Noah had kidney problems as a baby and had extensive testing for several genetic conditions.

The tests were clear, but he was diagnosed with severe neutropenia.

This is an abnormally low concentration of neutrophils, which make up most white blood cells – the body’s main defence against infections.

Noah’s condition turned out to be autoimmune which would heal itself in time.

But he was a regular at the Children’s Outpatients Department until being discharged in September 2024.

The amount and speed of the fundraising surprised the family.

“We’re flabbergasted – there are a lot of generous people around,” said Dan, a senior quantity surveyor.

Vicki, a business assurance manager, added: “Initially, Izzy wanted to raise £200 to buy some toys for the department but we raised £800 on the first day.

“Posters were put up in The Harp pub in Albrighton. We posted daily updates to the JustGiving page. We even had people knocking our door offering us cash!

“We also got donations from it being displayed in Keith Gibson’s Cars in Albrighton where my dad works. The garage also donated generously.”

Sarah Lewis, Matron on Children’s Ward, said: “Thanks so much to Izzy for her efforts.

“The headset will make so much difference to younger patients. The sets are great for relieving stress and anxiety.”

Amie Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer at The RWT Charity, said: “Izzy is such a sweet, thoughtful little girl and her determination to stick to her task and raise so much money is testament to her hard work.”