A GRATEFUL mother has raised almost £2,900 to say thank you to the hospital that saved her son’s life writes DAVID LYNCH.

Lorraine Jenkins’ son Nathan was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2013 for a brain tumour that caused severe epilepsy.

She has since raised £2,823.98 for the hospital that has done so much for her brave eight-year-old son, who is now in a stable condition and has not had a seizure for more than six months.

On Tuesday November 3, Lorraine held a charity bake sale and raffle on Cibi Walk, in the company of friends including Pete the Polar Bear, the mascot for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She said, “We sold almost everything at the bake sale by 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

“The generosity we have seen from the people of Abergavenny is fantastic. Our aim was to raise £1,000 but we have been completely overwhelmed by the response from the town.”

She added, “I would also like to thank the 42 businesses who have donated prizes to the charity raffle, and the community bakers who helped us to make the cakes.

“I couldn’t have achieved it without the help of my friends on the day, Davinia Antrobus, Kelly Plumley, Gavin Plumley and Jane from Monmouthshire Parent Network. It was amazing to see Abergavenny pull together for this massive achievement!”

Abergavenny Mayor Maureen Powell gave her support by announcing the results of the raffle, and also gave a donation.

Councillor Powell was impressed by the hard work that Lorraine and friends had done.

She said, “This has been an exceptional community effort, and it is good to see someone who has had such a wonderful experience of healthcare thanking the hospital by fundraising.

“I give my thanks to the public and to the volunteers who made the day so memorable, and I am sure that Great Ormond Street is ever so pleased with the donation that has been made.”

Other fundraising efforts included a non-uniform day at Gilwern Primary School, which raised £250.10.

Lorraine appeared at the school’s afternoon assembly on Thursday November 5 alongside Pete the Polar Bear to accept a cheque for the money raised and to thank the pupils of the school for their efforts.

Hummingbird Cafe in Llanover also raised £250 at their grand opening on Friday October 31, and a Halloween party organised by Samantha Stephens drummed up another £282.

Lorraine is not finished raising money for good causes.

Next year she is taking part in a 55 mile bike ride to raise money for the Monmouthshire charity Magic, to help them provide a year’s worth of soft play sessions to children with additional needs.