In February, during National Heart Month, we’re shining a spotlight on fundraisers supporting the Paediatric Cardiology Fund at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. National Heart Month is about bringing attention to the importance of cardiovascular health and what we can do to reduce our risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Louie Stokes Fund
Lottie Stokes began raising funds for the Children’s Heart Service for Wales after her second son, Louie was diagnosed with a major heart condition requiring multiple operations. Read the full story here.
So far they’ve held a raffle which raised £2,185 and a London Marathon in October 2022 raising £450. On March 2nd 2024 they’re hosting a charity ball at Park Plaza. Then in April 2024, Karl is running the London Marathon! You can support him by donating here.
You can also Text LOUIE followed by your donation amount to 70085 to give that amount. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign
Martha’s Dancing Heart Campaign was started by Martha’s mum, Michelle Graham, who has pledged to raise £1million in her family’s lifetime in support of Neonatal Services and Paediatric Cardiology Services who cared for her daughter, Martha after her birth. This year she is aiming to fundraise £100,000 in celebration of Martha’s 10th birthday in January 2025.
She has participated in multiple Cardiff Half Marathons and other running challenges, and organised her own which raised over £6,472. Michelle organised the Martha’s Dancing Heart Ball 2020, raising nearly £55,000. In July 2023, Michelle and a team completed the Welsh 3 Peaks which raised almost £10,000.
They kicked off this year’s fundraising with a Charity Clothes Swap on February 15th 2024. The rolling total raised so far is £221. Whilst she’s busy preparing for the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2024, she’s also arranging an adventure challenge to finish 50km in 15 hours with a 1500m ascent.
Look out for the upcoming fundraisers for 2024 here.
If you’d like to donate to Martha’s Dancing Heart go here.
Leia Godwin Cardiology Fund
Hannah Godwin has been supporting paediatric cardiology in Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital since her daughter, Leia’s battle with PIMS/Kawasaki Disease following the contraction of Covid-19 early in 2020 leaving Leia with a lifelong heart condition.
The whole family fundraise and have so far raised £2,964 via their JustGiving page, £2,782 from a ladies night and a further £449.64 has been raised from the students of Ty Isaf Primary School from a non-uniform day and a cake sale.
Hannah has recently completed a 10k run on her treadmill which raised £170. Her journey wasn’t easy. She decided to do this run back in July 2021, but lost all motivation to train. In October 2023 her enthusiasm returned and she ran and ran on her treadmill until she could do her 10k run.
“I am so proud of myself, that I have finally, achieved what I set out to achieve and completed 10k!!”
You can donate to her fundraiser here.
Find out about the other fundraisers on the Facebook page.