A BEWDLEY girl who is recovering from major spinal surgery putt in a star turn at a charity golf tournament to help raise thousands for the hospital that treated her.

TWS Windows held the event at Kidderminster Golf Club on June 26 and raised £2,800 the Children’s Ward at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham – almost three times more than their original £1,000 target.

The inspiration for the event, which saw invited players battle it out for victory and included a fundraising auction, was 11-year-old Grace Winterburn, whose father Tim is a partner at Kidderminster-based TWS.

Three months ago, the Bewdley High School pupil underwent an 11 hour operation to treat a back condition Scoliosis – which causes the twisting and curvature of the spine – which she was diagnosed with at the age of eight.

Grace is limited to the physical activities she can do but is recovering well but said she wanted to help raise cash for the hospital to help other children like her in the future.

She said: “It was a great day. I did a speech at the event, thanking everyone for coming and for their help to raise money for the ward I was on.

“I just want to help other people like me, for them to recover more quickly. I know what it’s like and what they are going through.

“I’m finding my recovery a little easier than I expected and I’m able to do more things everyday. I’m back at school full time and, although I have to sit out PE lessons, I sometimes get to lead a group or be a referee and umpire.”

Grace’s mum Sharon added: “The golf day exceeded our expectations and we are delighted to raise so much for the children’s ward where Grace was.

“We want to thank everyone who took part and helped us. Grace arrived after she finished school and gave a heart-warming speech which I think helped boost the auction.

“The Scoliosis started when she was eight but it got rapidly worse around 18 months ago. She underwent an 11 hour operation in February but she faced it and came back home after five days.

“She is still recovering and has two titanium rods and 23 screws in her back but she is able to do a lot of things she enjoys such as going back to stage school. Grace is taking it all in her stride.”

She added that they have also organised a fashion show at M & Co in High Street, Stourport on July 12 from 3pm, which will see Grace strutting her stuff on the catwalk.

Tickets cost £5 and proceeds will go to the hospital and to Nest - a charity that supports people with kidney diseases. They chose Nest because of a family friend whose son is suffering from a kidney disease.

Tickets are available from M & CO in advance or on the door.