Mike Jones, Unison Branch Secretary, will be joining 500 colleagues from across Cardiff and Vale University Health Board by taking part in this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon and raising funds for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity’s Make It Better Fund.
Mike said: “Most of the funds within Cardiff & Vale Health Charity support one specific ward or department, except the Make It Better Fund.
“People who donate to the Make It Better Fund help support projects that don’t fit neatly into the dedicated funds – they might help more than one ward, more than one hospital site, or be pilot projects that have the potential to completely revolutionise services.
“Some of these projects that have been supported through the Make it Better Fund are the provision of the hospital-wide free Health Charity Wi-Fi network for patients and visitors, which enables everyone to remain in contact with loved ones, catch up on the latest news or view their favourite television programme while in hospital.
“The Make it Better Fund also supports arts projects at the HeARTh Gallery at University Hospital Llandough, and funding was granted to ensure all wards have dementia-friendly activities available in the day rooms.
“The latest way donations are making a difference is the newly-introduced blue crockery for every ward across the UHB which will make a huge difference to patients. Research shows that blue plates encourage patients’ appetites, helping them to eat more, which is essential to help get them home. These plates are also specially designed to be easy to use, even if you only have use of one arm, are visually impaired or suffer from dementia.
“The Make it Better Fund supports projects that are over and above NHS funding that benefit staff, patients and visitors from across Wales.”
Lucie Barrett, Fundraising Officer for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Mike for choosing to raise awareness and raise vital funds that will have a direct benefit to all patients. Running or walking a half marathon is a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to joining colleagues who are representing the Health Charity and the NHS in October.”
If you would like more information on how you can help the Make it Better Fund and other funds within Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, please call 029 2184 1802 or email fundraising.cav@wales.nhs.uk
If you would like to support Mike and make a donation to the Make it Better fund; text UNIS55 with the amount to 70070 or visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-jones43
There are still spaces available to join #teamhealthcharity to run the Cardiff Half Marathon 2018. Please email fundraising.cav@wales.nhs.uk – we’d love to have you on our team!