Kind-hearted Sam’s donation to King's Mill Hospital

Sam, from Ashfield, has made it his mission to donate to 11 worthy charities in 11 months in memory of his dad, Tom Jones, who passed away from cancer in 2021.

Naming his fundraising efforts Sam's 11:11, Sam has ADHD and his mum, Nicola Jones described this project a great way to focus his energy into something positive.

The project started off with a sweet stall in his front garden, when he decided he wanted to donate money to cancer research.

It has since grown to the 11:11 project, where he committed to donating money to a different charity (of his choosing) each month.

Sam’s mum, Nicola said: “I’m really proud of Sam, and it just shows that those diagnosed with ADHD can think outside the box and reach for the stars.”

So far, he has raised over £9,000 in ten months, including a donation of £920 to the Children’s Ward at King’s Mill Hospital, via the Sherwood Forest Hospitals Charity.

This was used to purchase a large amount of toys for the ward, and craft materials for teenage mental health patients to be used as part of their therapy.

Sam also gained a donation of books from The Works, which was gifted to the unit.

The generous 11-year-old specified that £100 of the donation went to staff on the unit and this has been used to buy lots of lovely things for the staff room, such as new Tupperware and coffee pods for the coffee machine.

Sarah Jenkins, ward sister on ward 25, said: “Sam is such an inspirational young gentleman, and his donation will make such a big difference to young people staying on the ward.

“That he thought of the staff too and made sure there was money put aside for us just shows what a kind-hearted nature he has.

“Thank you so much to Sam and his family from all of us on ward 25.”

Readers can support Sam's fundraising efforts by following his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552919510106.

Sam is already planning his next project which is to donate to charities, Framework and the Gift of Christmas, in the run up to the festive season.