Painting for Telford hospital a tribute to Cameron
It will brighten up a ward at a Shropshire hospital – a painting created in memory of a little boy who brought joy to his family during his short life.
The parents of Cameron Brown have donated the colourful painting to the children's ward at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Gemma and Ashley Brown visited the ward with their sons Matthew, six, and Jason, two, to present the painting.
It was created in memory of Cameron, who passed away in 2008 aged two-and-a-half following a severe asthma attack.
His parents, from Bridgnorth, set up Cameron's Fund, which is also known as The Cameron Brown Lasting Memories Fund, for Asthma UK in his memory to raise vital funds for research and support for the five million people in the UK with asthma.
Family friend Ian Bingham painted the picture of the bear with the letter C as Cameron was bought a toy bear after he was born.
The Brown family and Mr Bingham visited the Children's Ward at the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre at PRH to present the painting of the special bear, which is now on display at the entrance to the ward.
Mrs Brown, aged 28, said: "We became aware that the children's ward had been refurbished as part of the opening of the women and children's centre and thought it would be nice to have part of Cameron there.
"Our friend Ian took a lot of time painting the picture of a special bear and kindly donated it for us to display on the ward.
"It's a lovely bright painting which we hope will bring a smile to children who need to be admitted to the ward, or to be assessed on the Children's Assessment Unit.
"The staff on the ward do a great job and I'm pleased we've been able to present a painting, which hopefully they will enjoy as well."
Lynn Atkin, Lead Nurse for the Women and Children's Care Group at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said: "Ian's painting really brightens up the entrance to our Children's Ward and is a lasting memory to Cameron. On behalf of staff on the ward, I'd like to thank Gemma and Ashley for thinking of us and donating the painting for us to display."
Cameron's Fund has so far raised more than £56,000 for Asthma UK.
Mr Brown, aged 33, added: "Cameron clearly touched the hearts of many people in our community and we have been supported a fantastic amount to raise money for Asthma UK in his memory. We support all of the work done by Asthma UK and hope they continue to make medical breakthroughs and providing fantastic support for people with asthma."
For more information about Cameron's Fund visit www.facebook.com/CameronsFund. The fund can also be supported by texting CAMF50 £3 to 70070.
