A WOMAN from Burnham-on-Sea has put on a whole host of fundraising events to raise £16,500 for the children's ward at the hospital which cared for her son. 

Mel Bax from Burnham decided to raise money for Musgrove Park Hospital after her son, Joe passed away in 2015 and she was overwhelmed with the kindness and care the family received from hospital staff. 

Mrs Bax, said: "My son Joe passed away two years ago after he was diagnosed with Erwings Sarcoma in 2013 and he was cared for at Musgrove Park Hospital's Oak Ward. 

"The staff at Musgrove who cared for Joe were fantastic and so were the bereavement counselling staff at the hospital that it made me want to give something back. 

"In 2015 the marines did a 24 hour run for Joe and raised £10,500 and we have just wanted to add to that total. 

"Since Joe's death we have organised a variety of different fundraising events including beach walks, school cake sales and Burnham Infant School put on a music festival so we could add to the total."

Mrs Bax said she hopes to raise between £15,000 and £20,000 for the hospital so that the school room on the children's ward can be completely refurbished. 

Mrs Bax, added: "The buildings at Musgrove are so old and I think they are in need of an update, especially the children's ward.

"I hope that we can raise as much money as possible so we can make the hospital a much nicer environment for children and the staff.

"We have a number of fundraising events planned for later this year and we hope we can get as many people coming as possible so they can donate and put money towards the total. 

"So far we have raised around £16,500 for The Children's Ward at Musgrove Park Hospital.

"Some of this money has already gone on a jukebox, Playstation 4, DVD's, CD's, Lego, books and games for the ward and £2,000 has been given to the Compass Team based at Musgrove, who continue to support our family.

"The remaining £12,000 is going towards the refurbishment of the school room on the ward.

"We are aiming to raise another £5,000 to make this project possible."

For more information or to donate visit http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JoeEvents2017