News From The Elm Tree in Ringwood, Hants.

Ringwood Comes Together To Bring Sam Home

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:29:49 GMT

Ringwood Rallies Round to Bring Sam Home

COMMUNITY RALLIES TO “BRING SAM HOME” WITH MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS

The Ringwood community has come together in an extraordinary show of support for the “Bring Sam Home” campaign, helping raise funds for 23-year-old Sam Wheeler following a devastating traumatic brain injury.

Sam, from Ringwood, suffered a life-changing brain injury after a fall, requiring emergency surgery and ongoing specialist treatment. He is currently undergoing neurorehabilitation in London while his family faces the enormous challenge of adapting his home and funding the specialist equipment and support needed for his long-term recovery.

In response, the campaign has already raised almost £40,000 towards its £80,000 target, with local businesses, pubs, friends and residents uniting behind a growing programme of fundraising events and endurance challenges.

Community events already held include a hugely successful quiz night at The Fish Inn, with further fundraising quizzes planned at The Cellar and The Railway.

Close friends and supporters are also taking on major physical challenges in Sam’s name. Plans include the demanding Three Peaks Challenge, which will see Sam’s sister and friends climb the UK’s three highest mountains dressed as Spider-Man to raise funds and awareness.

Another major fundraiser will see local lads Ben Cook and David Edmunds undertake an epic London-to-Ringwood run — a powerful demonstration of determination, resilience and solidarity with Sam’s recovery journey.

On June 20, The Elm Tree, Tithe Barn will host a special DnB Day Rave starting at 2pm in Sam’s honour. A keen amateur DJ himself, the event will celebrate Sam’s love of music while bringing the community together to continue raising vital funds.

The campaign has rapidly become far more than a fundraiser, uniting businesses, friends and families across the New Forest. Companies including Churchill Retirement Living are supporting through fund matching, while Cinergi, Sam’s employer, will also take on an additional Three Peaks Challenge in September.

Rhi Wheeler, Sam’s sister, who is leading the campaign, said:

“Every donation, event attendance and shared post continues to make a difference. The support from the community has been incredible and we simply cannot thank everyone enough. So many people have gone above and beyond for us — Will Wallace, Bonny Greenfield and Archie Smith, you know what you have done for our family, thank you.”

Anyone wishing to support the campaign or get involved can find more information at:

www.bringsamhome.com

Any business or individual that would like to get in touch with Rhi or the team please contact them via the website or email address.

bringsamhomefund@gmail.com

ends – 18 ^th May 2026

Ringwood Man Boxing for Knives Not Lives

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:01:45 GMT

Ringwood's Harry Edwards to Amateur Box to raise money for Lives Not Knives After His Cousin's Fatal Knife Attack

Cousin of Tragic Lymington Stabbing Victim to box at U.W.B.C Event at Bournemouth BIC 16 ^th November to raise money for Lives Not Knives.

Harry Edwards, 22 years from Ringwood, is stepping into the boxing ring for the first time, boxing to raise money and awareness for the Lives Not Knives charity following the death of his beloved cousin and friend, Luke Gray in August this year. Luke died as a ‘direct result’ of injuries sustained from an attack in October 2021.

Luke, 26 (pictured below) and his best friend Max Maguire, were brutally attacked in Lymington in October 2021. Catastrophically, Max lost his life that night. Luke was stabbed twice in the back, fighting for his own life, he witnessed the murder of his best friend and the serious wounding of another friend with them that night. His heart stopped three times that night. His mum, Sarah Roberts, was told to ‘say her goodbyes’ and as Covid restrictions were in place was told she could only spend an hour with him! For two years Luke underwent repeated operations, multiple infections, and treatments, ultimately, Luke had his kidney removed. Tragically, Luke died in his sleep in August despite the tireless efforts of his devastated mother to revive him, a full two and a half years after that fatal night. Sarah has given us permission to share the coroner’s verdict but is in no doubt that ‘Luke is dead as a direct result of the attack.”

Coroner’s Verdict (paraphrased).

“Although the coroner has confirmed Luke’s cause of death was ischemic heart disease, he would have lived into his 60’s or longer. This undetected, underlying condition ended his life at just 26 years, due is part to the chronic psychological and physical stress of the attack with a knife in 2021’. As Luke’s mum says, “This cannot be proven in a court of law, so Luke will never get the justice he deserves.”

Harry Edwards, a pall bearer at his cousin’s funeral in August, says “Luke was a complete fighter, he fought for two and half years to get over this hideous, unprovoked attack. I have seen the horrendous impact on his mum and her twin sister, my mum – it has affected us all terribly. I am fighting to raise awareness of Lives Not Knives, in the hope that we can do one small thing to help stop the national epidemic of knife crime.”

Luke’s mum Sarah says “I am tremendously proud of what Harry is doing not only for his cousin my son, but for all the sons and daughters out there that will be lost due to people carrying knives. It must stop. Harry has been training every day and is a real man – I wish everyone that thinks about carrying a knife would think twice, be like Harry and save a life – leave it home or better still hand it in.”

To support Harry (Pictured above) please donate at Harry Boxing for Lives Not Knives

Lives Not Knives (LNK) are dedicated to preventing youth violence in London and aim to do so through offering tailored mentorship and advice to the young people aged 9-21 in our community who most need our support.

http://www.livesnotknives.org/

Event: UWCB Bournemouth / Poole 16th November 2024, on 16 November 2024

Ultra White-Collar Boxing is a unique opportunity for people with no boxing background to experience the wonderful world of boxing, in a safe and enjoyable environment. Raise money for charity and get in great shape!

For more information, please email debs@elmtreeringwood.co.uk

Ringwood Business Man, 62 to Cycle 500km Across Kenya for Child.org

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:56:41 GMT

Ringwood Businessman Aiming to Raise £10k Cycling 500km on Ride Africa for Child.org .

November 9 ^th – 16 ^th , local businessman and charity fund raiser Michael ‘Micky’ Chilman, 62 from Ringwood, along with his long-suffering buddy, Rob Pimenta from Kent, will join 80 top cyclists in the 500km Ride Africa Kenya : Mara Calling challenge from Lake Nakuru to the world famous Masai Mara National Park in the hope of collectively raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Child.org.

This is the fifth time Micky (pictured left above) has undertaken the gruelling ride for Child.org the charity that supports maternal and child healthcare in Kenya. The pair are completely self-funding the expedition whilst aiming to raise an impressive £10k for the charity, through several fundraising events and sponsorship support.

“This is going to be a very demanding Ride Africa classic ride of over 500km, and unbelievably our fifth ride across Africa! It will be even more insane and ridiculously more difficult than any of the others! CHILD.org somehow manages to raise the bar on every ride that we do. Two years we cycled through National Parks with lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, water buffalo, plus other animals that wanted to kill us. This year we have more to worry about including cheetahs which can outrun us! Plus, those enormous hills that go on forever, the extreme heat and humidity and my poor posterior which really does not want to do another one of these challenges! As in previous years we are all cycling in aid of CHILD.org, which has sustained, helped, and cared for and saved the lives of thousands of children and mums and people in need across the poorest regions in Africa, and the poorest regions across the world. It works with pregnant women, communities and Governments to champion community-based solutions and keep mums and babies alive and healthy.”

Micky has arranged a host of fundraising events including a well-supported quiz night held in the tithe barn at The Elm Tree during September, which raised over £4k, and to date the pair have raised £7k for the charity.

To donate please visit Micky Chilman - Child.org

To speak to Micky please call 07790 485702.

Ringwood Mum Battling Aggressive Breast Cancer To Host Charity Event for Future Dreams

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 13:48:10 GMT

Ringwood Mum Battling Aggressive Breast Cancer Hosts Charity Event for Future Dreams

Ringwood Mum Battling Aggressive Breast Cancer to Host ‘An Evening of Pink’ Fundraiser for Future Dreams Charity

Thursday, 17th October 2024, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, Ringwood resident and mum of two, Victoria Johnstone, 41, is organising ‘An Evening of Pink,’ a special fundraising event to support Future Dreams , a charity that provides crucial support services for those affected by breast cancer.

Victoria’s journey began in April 2024 when she discovered a lump, something she had ignored until she was prompted to take action when she saw ITV’s Change & Check sticker on a changing room mirror. Investigations lead to a diagnosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. She is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy and is supported by her loving husband and their two young daughters. Despite being too unwell to work as she normally would for TFG Group, the company that owns high street brands like Whistles, Hobbs and Phase Eight, Victoria is dedicating her energy to raising funds for Future Dreams , a charity that has provided her with invaluable support since her diagnosis.

“Breast cancer turned my world upside down,” says Victoria. “This diagnosis was completely unexpected and impacted my life, as well as the lives of my family and friends. There are many fantastic charities supporting cancer research and treatment, but Future Dreams has been incredibly supportive of us. Hosting this event is my way of showing appreciation and, with luck, raising enough to help more families affected.”

‘An Evening of Pink’ will be held at The Elm Tree, Tithe Barn , in Hightown, Ringwood. Guests can look forward to live music, canapes and nibbles, and an exciting raffle for just £10 per ticket. The event will also feature talks from breast cancer advocates Michelle Harvey and Annabelle Mayhew, along with a special appearance by the newly elected Mayor of Ringwood, who will draw the raffle.

All proceeds from the evening will go to Future Dreams, helping them continue their mission of providing essential support and resources to those affected by breast cancer.

Tickets are available now from https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DXZU

To contact Victoria directly please email Victorialj4@gmail.com .