Weston Saint Posted 4 April, 2010 Share Posted 4 April, 2010 (edited) An official charity collection, in aid of the Smile4Rich Appeal, will be held outside St Mary's prior to the Charlton match. Smile4Rich was set up in memory of 15-year old Saints fan, Richard Bowler, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage while training with his youth football team in July 2002. Since then, the charity has raised in excess of £400,000 to fund projects at Southampton's Wessex Neurological Centre, including a dedicated Neuro Intensive Care Ambulance and a specially equipped suite which is used to assess children with severe epilepsy for life-changing surgery. The Wessex Neurological Centre treats around 4,500 patients a year and is one of the most well-respected specialist neurological centres in the country. Following an horrific motorcycle accident in August 2007, Saints' community coach Ricky Fernandez was treated at the centre for numerous life-threatening injuries. Thanks to the skill and dedication of the team at the Wessex, Ricky has made a quite remarkable recovery and has recently returned, part-time, to his work at the club. Donations received from fans will go toward the latest Smile4Rich Appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 to equip one ot the Centre's operating theatres with a new, state-of-the-art operating microscope fitted with fluorescence imaging technology. This equipment will provide surgeons with real-time images of blood-flow in the brain during neurovascular surgery, for such conditions as brain haemorrhages and aneurysms, minimising the need for repeat surgery, reducing the chance of post-operative complications, and hence speeding the recovery of patients. Every penny will help us toward our target, and your support will be greatly appreciated. http://www.smile4rich.co.uk/ http://www.smile4rich.co.uk/fundraising/event-detail-47 Modorators, I have sent a personal email to Steve Grant asking for this to be a sticky until the Charlton game. Until he makes the decision I would appreciate you not moving or deleting. You can of course make it a sticky yourselves. It is very much Saints related. Edited 4 April, 2010 by Weston Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwiz Posted 4 April, 2010 Share Posted 4 April, 2010 i will put £1 in. If everyone else doesthe same should be a good fundraiser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Lindford Posted 4 April, 2010 Share Posted 4 April, 2010 I will be collecting at the Chapel End before the game so please give generously... Ta muchly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 4 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 4 April, 2010 Frank's Cousin and myself will also be collecting on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 4 April, 2010 Share Posted 4 April, 2010 Thanks Weston, and also to Lindford & Frank's Cousin for their assistance. And thanks in advance to all who donate on the day. Every penny really does make a difference. For more about Ricky's amazing recovery, please see http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/734182/50-medics-3-brain-ops-and-155k-of-platinum-save-Ricky-Fernandez.html Keep Smiling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 4 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 4 April, 2010 Thanks also to Steve Grant for allowing up to use this forum as a communication point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 4 April, 2010 Share Posted 4 April, 2010 Thanks also to Steve Grant for allowing up to use this forum as a communication point. Seconded. Many thanks Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 5 April, 2010 Share Posted 5 April, 2010 What a great charity and wonderful way to remember Rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 5 April, 2010 Share Posted 5 April, 2010 Thanks for posting this. I'm usually a little sceptical about people with charity tins - however well meaning. But your moving post explains everything. And I guess is very hard to get across in a few words to a throng of people just before a game. I will look out for the collectors pre-Charlton and will donate as generously as I can. I wish you every success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 6 April, 2010 Share Posted 6 April, 2010 Frank's Cousin and myself will also be collecting on the day. Spot the fat bloke, that will be me ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted 6 April, 2010 Share Posted 6 April, 2010 Spot the laydee - I'll be collecting too. Like the poster above, I often look the other way when someone shakes a tin at me but since SFC have been kind enough to allow Smile4Rich to be there plus it is something that benefits the local community (though hopefully a service that none of us will ever have to use), I thought the least I could do was give a bit of my time. Hopefully you guys can give a bit of your loose change. I want my bucket filled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowsaintsfan Posted 6 April, 2010 Share Posted 6 April, 2010 Good luck i hope you manage to raise a good sum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeBenali Posted 8 April, 2010 Share Posted 8 April, 2010 Will make sure I bring some loose change with me, as I always feel like a tight git when a charity collection comes along and I have none. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted 8 April, 2010 Share Posted 8 April, 2010 Spot the fat bloke' date=' that will be me ;-)[/quote'] Wearing Aviators? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 8 April, 2010 Share Posted 8 April, 2010 Appreciate the kind words and messages of support, and the generous assistance being provided by posters on this board. I understand the club will be posting details of the collection on the club web site on Friday morning. Rich's mum & dad will be among those rattling buckets on Saturday afternoon, and they've asked me to convey their thanks for your support. Cheers all, and Keep Smiling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob the Saint Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Blimey it's also like a 606 reunion on this thread ! Can't make the game tomorrow but will make sure my son (who incidentally is one of Mrs NSS IT pupils at college - small world etc) contributes on his and my behalf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob the Saint Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 ...and I've finally worked out who Pancake is ! (I think) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 9 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 9 April, 2010 http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/8090281.Smile4Rich_appeal_to_hit_St_Mary_s/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Is the collection in one location or will there be several people around the stadium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 9 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Is the collection in one location or will there be several people around the stadium?Intending to cover every turnstile. Frank's Cousin and myself will be covering Turnstile 1 Itchen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Okie doke, cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Blimey it's also like a 606 reunion on this thread ! Can't make the game tomorrow but will make sure my son (who incidentally is one of Mrs NSS IT pupils at college - small world etc) contributes on his and my behalf. Blimey, small world indeed Rob! She'll be one of those shaking a bucket tomorrow. And many thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um Bongo Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 Can't make it tomorrow but will make sure my mates and co give some money, Rich was a top lad. Still can't believe it was 8 years ago..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted 9 April, 2010 Share Posted 9 April, 2010 ...and I've finally worked out who Pancake is ! (I think) Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 10 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 10 April, 2010 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/CommunityNews/0,,10280~2017144,00.html Now on the official web site. Please give generously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 10 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Thanks to the many who donated. Final collection figures will be emailed to the club who will report it on the Official site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Firstly, a huge thank you to the 20 volunteers, including those from this board who gave up their pre-match drinking time, without whom today's collection would not have been possible. Secondly, many thanks to Southampton Football Club for granting us this charity collection, it is greatly appreciated, and I'd like to thank Mark Abrahams (Community Manager) in particular for his assistance in organising and promoting the collection. Finally, to all who donated today, your generosity has resulted in a total of £1,602.99 being raised for the Smile4Rich Appeal, every penny of which will help us to provide the Wessex Neurological Centre with the tools that will make it possible to save even more lives. So please, give yourselves a round of well deserved applause. Thank you again, and please.... Keep Smiling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Woah - that's an amazing result! So pleased and glad to have been a part of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Stardust Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Wonder who gave 99p though..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Wonder who gave 99p though..... Great result, chuffed for all involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Woah - that's an amazing result! So pleased and glad to have been a part of it. Cheers Ziggy. Good to see you again after so long, and many thanks to your OH too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Lindford Posted 10 April, 2010 Share Posted 10 April, 2010 Excellent news. Thanks to all who generously donated, especially to the generous people going through turnstile D who had to put up with me shouting all the time. Voice is a bit ropey now. Keep smiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Saint Posted 11 April, 2010 Author Share Posted 11 April, 2010 Many thanks from Frank's Cousin and myself to all those entering through Turnstile A for their massive support and donations. Frank was garanteeing a win to those donating. Thank God we did. Would have hated for him to have to stand outside afterwards giving out refunds SAINTS SUPPORTERS, TAKE A BOW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Sparky Posted 11 April, 2010 Share Posted 11 April, 2010 He told us we could give him a kicking if we didn't win. Really dont think he thought it through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 12 April, 2010 Share Posted 12 April, 2010 He told us we could give him a kicking if we didn't win. Really dont think he thought it through 'Kick my arse' was what I said ;-) If we had lost I would have done a runner and hidden the hat- it was a cunning disguise! LOL Thanks to all who put up with my shouting - and we did win! Cheers to all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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