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Date of release: 11th December 2024
Donation of equipment is cut above
A Wolverhampton hairdresser proved she is a cut above by dressing as Edward Scissorhands to raise money for equipment that will benefit up to 900 patients with prosthetics.
Mum of three Anita Platt, 43, dressed for a week as the 1990 film character Edward – or Edwina as she called herself – at Nic Russell’s Hair Studio in Pendeford, raising £250.
The money has bought equipment for The Maltings Mobility Centre in Wolverhampton, including two agility ladders and hurdles, an adjustable height workout step, dumbbells, footprint markers and resistance bands.
The equipment will help patients improve their mobility by enabling them to take part in exercises to strengthen their limbs.
Anita’s partner Matthew Miller, 44, a double amputee for six years, noticed when he completed in agility events that some equipment wasn’t available to patients at The Maltings.
So the Wolverhampton couple, who have been together for five years, decided to raise money to buy it.
“I had some strange looks when I went to buy lunch at the local shops, but it was good fun and we’re very thankful to our clients who gave generously,” said Anita. “I wanted to help because it’s a cause close to my heart.
“We see these as essential items but the NHS can only so much, so we decided to do something to support people.”
Lou Tisdale, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Amputee Rehabilitation at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “Some of these items were missing in our toolbox when the patient and I did a running training course earlier this year – items the trainer had but we didn’t.
“All the items will be useful to support people to gain confidence in the use of their prosthetic limbs through improving balance and control of the leg.
“We are really grateful to Anita and Matthew for thinking of our service in their fundraising.
“Matthew wanted to ensure we could support others in their rehab and Anita wanted to support that wish.”
Father of five Matthew lost both legs below the knee due to sepsis in 2018 after contracting septic pneumonia (blood poisoning).
The former Grenadier Guard had to go on an Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine which removes blood from the body, cleans it and restores it to the body.
In a coma for three weeks, he had his heart restarted three times and was in hospital for three months.
Matthew, who wears his prosthetic limbs all the time outdoors, is so thankful to Anita.
He said: “She’s great – she even drove to work in costume and she takes me to all my appointments. The equipment is a real boost.”
Amie Rogers, Fundraising and Lead Digital Engagement Officer from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, which organised the donation, said: “These items will really benefit our prosthetic patients and we thank Anita for her efforts.”