One year on, following a life-threatening head injury, Adam Tong, 18, has completed a 25-mile charity walk with friends and family members, to raise money for the Wessex Neurological Unit at Southampton General Hospital, where he was treated.
A talented goalkeeper for Poole Town Football Team, Adam had agreed to help out at Bournemouth Rugby club when they were short of players, but sustained a serious injury following a blow to the head during the game. Adam was admitted to Southampton General Hospital in September 2008, and although he suffered a brain haemorrhage and needed 24 hour supervision whilst on the Unit, went on to make a full recovery.
A team of six walkers took part in the New Forest Purple Challenge Walk, choosing to raise money to fund a specialist lowlevel patient bed for the Neurological Unit. The team of dedicated walkers included Adam Tong, parents Dave and Lynn Tong, along with Rose Pepper, and Chris and Andy Rainsford.
The Tong family have raised in excess of £1,800, with sponsorship money still rolling in, and would also like to thank Bournemouth Rugby Club for collecting money in the lead up to the event. Adam visited Southampton General Hospital to present a cheque to Miranda Gardner, Head Injury Nurse Specialist, and Liz Hole, Fundraiser for Southampton Hospital Charity, and to personally thank the staff on the Unit for the expert care that they were able to provide for him.
Adam said, “I really wanted to take part in a fundraising event to give something back. The money that we have raised through the walk is to say thank you for the wonderful care that I received from all of the staff on the Neurological Unit”.
Adam’s mother, Lynn Tong said, “We are truly proud of Adam. As a family, we really wanted to put closure on the difficult time that Adam has been through, and it’s fantastic to have raised this money for the Unit.”
Pictured are Adam Tong (centre) with Liz Hole, Fundraising Officer (left) and Miranda Gardner, Head Injury Nurse Specialist (right).
Posted on Tuesday 10 November 2009