Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust staff members donate gaming units to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust in memory of their son
Two Xbox gaming carts have been donated to UHCW from Raising the Hopes of Young Stars (RHYS), a not-for-profit organisation set up in memory of Rhys Cowen, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2020 aged 13.
Rhys’s father David and mother Charlene both work at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) and donated the gaming units to UHCW with their 14-year-old son Aaron. The donation was made to keep children entertained whilst they received treatment.
Coventry City fan Rhys was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue, as a 12-year-old in May 2019, and received chemotherapy and radiation treatment at UHCW.
Rhys, who played American Football, enjoyed watching Liverpool FC on TV and made a trip to Anfield in 2020 to see his idols play.
That great day out inspired him to want to give children and families who had been affected by cancer a memorable day out or experience.
David said: “Rhys was an incredibly brave and selfless boy. When he knew there was nothing else that could be done and he was going to die, he told me he wanted me to raise money for children and families in similar situations.
“Throughout chemotherapy, and short stays in UHCW, he liked playing on the old Xbox and games to break the boredom.
“On behalf of RHYS and all that have donated to our fundraising events, we are delighted to supply these bespoke gaming carts to the UHCW Children’s Ward.”
You can find more about RHYS on their website.