We would like to say a big thank you to Jimi Crossin, and his family from Olney near Milton Keynes who put on a charity music night recently for Tom’s Ward at the Oxford Children’s Hospital, raising an amazing £1,000.

Eight-year-old Jimi knows Tom’s Ward well. He first stayed there after having surgery in 2020 to remove a giant bone cyst that was causing damage to his hip. The surgery fitted him with pins and a plate to stabilise the bone.

Sadly the pain continued and in 2022, following further surgery,  Jimi was diagnosed with fibroid dysplasia - a noncancerous bone condition where abnormal fibrous tissue develops in place of normal bone.  

Jimi continues to cope with pain every day, but despite this last year after a stay on Tom’s Ward, he told staff that if he had the money, he would like to buy them another games console as ‘there were only two and lots of children liked to play them’. 

And earlier this year Jimi used his talent to make this happen.

Jimi’s mum Vicki told us, “Jimi’s care is still very much ongoing. The consultant has been amazing and has made a difficult two years manageable.”

“Since his first operations in 2020, he hasn’t been able to play sports,  so we wanted to find him something fun for him to do. He started to learn to play the guitar and found a real love for music.”  

Jimi, his sister Olivia, and their dad joined a little music group and after a few months, they formed a little group called the Olney Hearts Club Band. Jimi decided he wanted them to do a concert for Tom’s wards. He spoke to the band members and they all agreed it was a brilliant idea.

They were kindly given a hall to perform at free of charge, Olivia designed a poster and both Jimi and Olivia went around local businesses in Olney to put the posters up in windows – so it was a proper team effort!

They also got busy rehearsing 12 songs they wanted to perform

The kids charged £3 pounds entry, sold refreshments, arranged a small raffle and even got donations online from friends and family who couldn’t make the performance. 

Mum Vikki said: “Jimi played both electric and acoustic guitar and even did a little solo. 

“Olivia played drums and guitars and two other younger members of the group, Holly and Dan, both went outside of their comfort zones to do solos.  It really was a team effort and they all practised so hard.

“They really were amazing. They put so much thought into their show and had so much support, not only from friends and family but from the local community too”.

“This is a massive achievement not only for Jimi but for all of the band members who supported him”.

“As a parent, I’m super proud of them all and what a fantastic achievement to raise such an awesome amount of money for Tom’s Ward”.

Claire Hughes from Oxford Hospitals Charity said: “We want to say a huge thank you to Jimi and his family – and all the band - for raising such a fantastic amount of money for Tom’s Ward.

“It’s clear they put so much time, thought and effort into organising every detail. What an inspiration they all are!

“So many children will benefit from the new games consoles thanks to their fundraising – and this will bring a much-needed distraction to children on the ward.”