April Fundraising Wrap Up

Our runners’ spotlight

It’s been a busy month for #TeamVelindre’s runners! We celebrate their incredible activities in our special runners’ spotlight.

Aleysha Uddin

Alyesha ran the ABP Newport Half Marathon on 13^th April in memory of her colleague, Dean Stonehouse, who was treated here at Velindre.

Aleysha said: “When something like this happens to someone you spend a lot of time with it really puts life into perspective and you feel helpless that you can’t do anything to help.

This is my way of keeping his memory alive and helping to fulfil one of his final wishes, which was to renovate the family room at Velindre hospital!

In April last year I had told Dean I wanted to do a half marathon, to which he responded ‘How about you do a 5k first’ haha!! I hadn’t even run 1k at this point, so it was the perfect event for me to raise money in his memory.”

Dean’s wife, Amy, has also raised an incredible amount by fundraising for Velindre’s family room.  Aleysha’s amazing contribution of £530 will help to transform the room for other families to use.

Ffion and her school’s Rougemont Runners took part in the exciting ABP Newport Marathon Festival this month. Ffion raised an incredible £120 in aid of Velindre! Keep your eyes peeled for a special celebration of the Rougemont Runners on our blog soon!

Tim Sergent

Tim Sergent ran Kelston Park Return Ticket 10K this month. Smashing his fundraising target, he raised £300 for Velindre! Visit Tim’s JustGiving page here.

Rhys Felton

Rhys Felton completed Leamington Regency’s 10K in beautiful spring sunshine this April. Running in memory of his dad, Michael Felton, who was treated here at Velindre, Rhys said:

“I feel very privileged to have run for such a worthy cause. The support that the team at Velindre provided to my dad during his various treatments for glioblastoma really was above and beyond and made such a difference for him and the whole family during this time.”

Rhys raised an incredible £630 in aid of Velindre. Visit Rhys’ JustGiving page here.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our runners who raised money for Velindre this month!

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

In March 2023, Stephen Hewitt received the devastating diagnosis that he had an aggressive form of head and neck cancer. Stephen underwent both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which took a massive toll on his physical wellbeing. Stephen’s daughter, Katie, commented that after each round of treatment, they relied on Velindre’s telephone helpline for advice. She said that speaking with one of our CNSs was another service that they couldn’t fault. Stephen now receives monthly immunotherapy treatment and is currently doing well!

For the amazing care that Stephen received, his wife, Barbara, knew she wanted to do something, not only to raise money for Velindre but to celebrate Stephen and to give back to all of the family and friends who supported them.

Barbara decided to hold a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to raise money for Velindre and other charities that are supporting Stephen throughout his cancer journey. Stephen’s family and friends all chipped in with hosting, baking and decorating and the family organised a special raffle with prizes kindly donated from local businesses. The afternoon was a huge success, full of food, fun and laughter.

The family also hosted a coffee and cake sale in a local football club in Caerleon—raising an astounding £1,780 for three different charities, including an incredible £1,340 for Velindre!

Katie said: “No amount seems enough for what Velindre really does but we hope that the money can be used to continue to help patients, support families and offer a place of peace and solace to those that need it the most. Velindre continues to save my dad’s life and I will always be eternally grateful for that.”

Jennie Jones’ special night out and an afternoon tea with a difference!

Jennie Jones organised a special night out on 28^th February 2025 in aid of Velindre and Ray of Light Cancer Support. The event included an auction and raffle and performances from the sensational Luke Hingley as a Bublé tribute with Liz Baker Martin from The Voice as the support act. Richard Davies, MBE also acted as Master of Ceremonies and our own charity ambassador Wayne Griffiths BEM was a guest speaker. It was a great night out with lots of dancing, laughter and memories!

Jennie also hosted a fantastic ‘All things Welsh’ afternoon tea with a difference! The event, which took place on St David’s Day, included special artists, choirs, a raffle and more! Both events raised an incredible £2,082 for Velindre! A massive well done to Jennie and everyone that took part!

Joanne and Freddie’s Easter Raffle

Joanne and Freddie hosted an exciting Easter raffle to raise vital funds for Velindre—specifically for Velindre’s outreach services at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. They drew the winners on 14^th April 2025 with six big prizes and 5 mini prizes up for grabs.

Freddie, aged 9, said: “All of this money will be going to Velindre and can change someone’s life.”

Freddie and Joanne absolutely smashed their fundraising target, raising a whopping £2,081, which they delivered to Velindre this month!

Congratulations Joanne and Freddie, you are amazing!

You can visit Joanne and Freddie’s JustGiving page here.

Sugar Rogue Gym’s 25 in 25 challenge!

The incredible community at Sugar Rogue gym took on a gruelling 25-hour exercise challenge on 25^th April in aid of Velindre. The 25 in 25 event was the gym’s biggest challenge yet and saw 58 members take part in a new exercise every hour–from sit ups, lunges, burpees and more!

The team at Sugar Rogue said: “We are super grateful for each and every one of you and all the support you’ve shown us, not just this weekend but over the years. We truly do have a special community. Thank you for being such an amazing part of this journey with us.”

Gareth Way, Coach at Sugar Rogue, has a personal connection with Velindre after his mum received a breast cancer diagnosis in 1996 and was treated here at the centre. Gareth spoke about his motivation for fundraising for Velindre: “The fundraising that I do for Velindre is grounded in the knowledge that any money that I can raise for them, helps them to continue to give that same support, treatment and love to patients and their families. If I fundraise for Velindre until the day I die, I’ll never repay the value of those 13 extra years with Mum.”

The 25 in 25 event has raised over £13,000 so far—a truly awe-inspiring amount! We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Sugar Rogue for your energy and ongoing commitment to fundraising for Velindre!

Visit Sugar Rogue’s JustGiving page here.

How your fundraising makes a difference

With the support of our inspiring fundraisers, we can fund spaces like the dedicated family room here at Velindre Cancer Centre.

This special room gives our patients, their children and families the chance to step away from the busy clinical environment of the hospital to spend quality time together. Filled with toys, games and comfortable seating, our families can continue making precious memories in a space that feels comfortable and calm.

The charity-funded family room gives our patients and their families the breathing space they need during the most difficult time of their lives and we couldn’t fund this essential space without your generous fundraising. By supporting us, you help to create welcoming and supportive environments for everyone at Velindre.

Thank you!

The energy and enthusiasm of our fundraisers has been truly inspiring this month! We’re so grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you for being part of #TeamVelindre!