Above: The Edgar family drop off their donation at Peacock Hall, RVI (L – R, Justin, Jonny, and Sally)
Jonny Edgar, a Formula 3 racing driver with the Red Bull Junior Team, and his family, have raised an incredible £1,500 for the Gastroenterology fund at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI).
In April this year (2022) 18-year-old Jonny was fast progressing in the competitive field of motorsport racing when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
This shock diagnosis saw the young driver losing a substantial amount of weight, becoming breathless and losing the strength to drive safely in such a demanding sport. Eventually, he had to stop racing partway through his latest campaign.
Jonny, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, was treated on Ward 30 at the RVI to help get his condition under control and is now thriving, having returned to the sport he loves. Jonny and his parents, Justin and Sally, have praised the care given by the hospital team, in particular Mr Ally Speight, the Consultant who oversaw Jonny’s treatment.
To show their thanks, the family organised a golf day via their business, a garage named J Edgar & Son. The event was a great success, raising £1,500 for Newcastle Hospitals Charity – the official charity for Newcastle Hospitals – to be donated to the Gastroenterology fund.
Jonny said: “The Gastroenterology team at the RVI really helped me on my road to recovery, so this was my way of saying thank you. Racing might be my biggest passion, but you can’t beat a spot of golf, especially when it’s for charity!”
Sonia Graham, Fundraising Manager at Newcastle Hospitals Charity said: “We’re always so touched when someone chooses to raise funds for us and are very grateful to Jonny and his family for their kind support of the Gastroenterology team. It’s wonderful to hear that he is on the road to recovery and is back to racing too!”
