TWO families have made poignant contributions to The Big Push in memory of their loved ones.

Mohammad Jamil from Dudley passed away in September 2014 following a four year battle with bowel cancer.

To thank Russells Hall Hospital for the care the 53-year-old received, his family decided to donate £600 to the campaign, which aims to raise £30,000 to purchase 50 new wheelchairs.

Yasmin Jamil, told the News that towards the end of his life, her father's condition had deteriorated, leaving him unable to walk.

She said he made use of the hospital's wheelchairs and after hearing about the campaign, the family decided that they wanted to do something in his memory to benefit others.

A £1,200 donation has also been made by the family of Anthony John Cooper, who died on September 13 this year.

When Mr Cooper was discharged after a short stay at the Dudley hospital, his wife Joan was told that wheelchairs were available for patients to use to travel from the ward to the car.

Mrs Cooper said that when she went to collect a wheelchair, she was met by a group of volunteers and one man offered to push the chair - which was one of the new ones purchased via The Big Push - for her "without hesitation".

She added that both herself and her husband were "very impressed" with the chair, adding that "it helped ease what would otherwise have been a very challenging walk".

Mrs Cooper said the assistance they received that day convinced her to donate contributions from mourners at her husband's funeral, held on October 5, to the campaign.

A service of thanksgiving was held at St Mary's Church, Oldswinford, followed by private family committal at Stourbridge Crematorium Chapel.

A celebration of Mr Cooper's life was also held at Himley Hall.

Karen Phillips, fundraising manager for the Dudley Group NHS Charity, said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to everybody who has sponsored The Big Push so far.

"We have been really pleased with the response from local people."

You can help boost our total by popping into our offices at St John’s House, Stourbridge, with cash or cheques - made payable to Dudley Group NHS Charity/Wheelchairs.

Donations can also be made online via www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/dghc/wheelchairs or by texting NEWS66 followed by an amount of £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.