A BIGHEARTED Dudley schoolgirl has helped raise thousands of pounds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital after her brother was admitted there at just four days old.

Amelia Cox, aged five, was inspired to raise money for the hospital where one-year-old Albert spent the early weeks of his life before being diagnosed with a digestive system disease which means he has to be fed through a tube.

Albert has spent around six months in the hospital and recently had major surgery to remove part of his bowel, his sixteenth general anaesthetic.

Amelia and her mum Claire, 34, and dad Paul, 38, family joined 15,000 others from across the West Midlands who donned dressings as part of The BIG Bandage summer fundraising campaign.

Amelia dressed as a nurse for the day and was joined by her friends at Straits Primary, Dudley, who were wrapped in bandages.

The school took part in The BIG Bandage for its annual fundraiser to help Albert who suffers from a disease which means intestinal muscles don’t work properly meaning he has to be fed directly into his small bowel.

It held a mufti day, charging pupils £1 to attend, and invited each child to place their pound coin on the school hall floor to spell Albert’s name.

Albert was awarded a certificate for his bravery in assembly.

The £480 raised from The BIG Bandage event was added to the money the Cox family has raised through other fundraisers including a triathlon, sponsored silence, Movember and gift sales.

A cheque for more than £2,600 has been presented to the hospital which will be shared between ward nine, the nutritional care department and the parent accommodation service.

Albert’s Mum Claire said: “We’ve had such an amazing journey with the hospital and everyone there has been amazing. “Albert is now starting to learn to walk, something I didn’t think we’d ever see.”

Vikky Savery, Head of Public Fundraising, said: “We are thrilled Straits Primary School held a BIG Bandage day.

“We are so grateful to the Cox family and all their friends for their generous support.

“We are always so touched when children of such a young age are inspired to come up with creative ideas to raise money for our hospital.”