Tops raise money for hospital after help given to Melksham man

TOPS Hair Salon have raised £206 for Southmead Renal Unit after the hospital cared for a Melksham man with a kidney condition. 

The money was raised from a cake and coffee morning that included a raffle held at the salon after the renal unit cared for the brother of Tops stylist Sophie Freegard.

Her brother, Kurt Freegard, has spent long periods of time in the hospital this year after being diagnosed with a kidney condition called IgA Nephropathy (Berger’s disease). The condition has led to him being placed on a transplant list and he is due to receive a kidney from his mother in January.

Speaking about the successful coffee morning Kurt said, “It is great that so much money has been raised from a single coffee morning and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has so kindly donated for a great cause.

“Also, I have to say thank you to the Tops staff and customers who got behind the fund raising. There was loads of cake brought in and it was a big success.  So many people come in just for the morning and it really means a lot. My old tutor from George Ward, Leila Riley, came in too so that was amazing.

“The renal unit at Southmead Hospital have looked after me so well and I am thankful for how good they have been to me and for the support my family have given me. I get my new kidney in January from my mum and I am looking forward to recovering.”

His sister and stylist Sophie added, “I am really pleased at how much we have raised and thanks to the team at Tops and all the clients for raising such a great amount for the unit.”

Tops manager Vic Stevens said, “Kurt is a great guy who we all know so we are happy to have hosted the event. Everybody is behind him and knows how much the care he received in the hospital means to him.”