Toys donated to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital in memory of Abersychan School, 14, who died suddenly

Jake Phillips, 14, was a pupil at Abersychan School but died suddenly on February 8.

Following his death, communities in Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and across Gwent have helped to raise almost £700 in his memory, which his family and friends decided to put toward new toys for the hospital’s children’s assessment unit.

“We’ve donated these toys to the Royal Gwent Hospital’s children’s assessment unit from the money raised and given to us following the sudden death of Jake on February 8,” said Jake’s mum Rebecca Rossiter, 31, of Greenfield Terrace, Varteg, said the decision to give the toys to the children’s department was inspired by Jake’s two young relatives, who have spent a considerable amount of time at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

“Jake has two cousins, Iestyn, aged eight, and Devlin, aged four, who are here to help give the toys to the department,” said Ms Rossiter, of Varteg.

“Jake loved these boys more than anything – he’d do anything they wanted, but he hated seeing them ill, especially in hospital due to their illnesses, as both have had type one diabetes since birth.

“They have both spent a lot of time in the Royal Gwent for check-ups.

“Jake would often go to visit them and always go on the hunt for toys to keep himself and his two cousins occupied.

“So to fill the toy room at the hospital would be our pleasure and to do it in Jake’s memory.

“Iestyn and Devlin may not get much use from these toys but to know that there are children being filled from with joy from Jake’s memory will bring a little comfort to us, his family, his friends and the communities we have lived in,” she added.

Jake’s mum thanked those who had supported the family so far, both emotionally and with donations, and that the family plans to do further fundraising to support other children’s departments.

“As we continue without our Jake, we will aim to raise money in his memory,” she said.

“As we are aware these toys won’t last forever, and we don’t want this donation to be a one-off, we would like to fill many more children’s departments in hospital with toys in Jake’s memory.

“We will be looking for more ways to raise money to do this in the future.”

A spokeswoman for the Royal Gwent Hospital’s children’s assessment unit said: “It is lovely that Jake’s legacy can continue and he’s provided so much happiness for the children that need to attend hospital.

“We are very grateful to the family for this.

“We do rely a lot on the donation of toys from charities and members of the public.

“All age groups are welcome but particularly the younger age groups as they are the ones who are most likely to play with toys.

“Having toys here gives the children visiting so much pleasure and some of the toys will be familiar to those they have at home. That reduces anxiety for them and their families.”

A crowdfunding page has been set up at justgiving.com/fundraising/LouisJames.