A heartfelt thank you to Josh Rayner and his fiancée Jess for organising the Willis Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th August 2024, which successfully raised £7,035.64 for ‘ROC’ and ‘Matthew’s A Friend In Me’. This event united the Barnsley community for a day of fun and uplifting community spirit.

Josh was driven to fundraise for ROC after witnessing the exceptional care his brother-in-law, Jamie Willis, received at the ROH. In 2021, Jamie was diagnosed with bone cancer in his knee, a devastating blow that led to intensive surgery where his knee and femur were replaced with titanium. The recovery was challenging, but Jamie’s determination and the hospital’s support gave him a new lease on life.

Earlier this year, a setback occurred when Jamie experienced a fracture in his leg and required further medical attention, which only reinforced Josh’s commitment to giving back to the hospital that had done so much for his family.

The Willis Family Fun Day was filled with activities like a darts competition, live music, and family entertainment, with the community and local
businesses contributing to its success.

Josh and Jess are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support and are considering the possibility of organising another event in 2025, continuing their mission to “change lives one penny at a time.”

Matthew’s a Friend In Me raises money to support families with children suffering from childhood cancer and provides them with financial assistance.

If you’d like to support ROC by organising your own fundraising event, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way and provide all the resources you need to make a lasting difference. Email roc@nhs.net to get started!