Although small in stature, the young people who fundraised for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity during the pandemic made a big difference with their generosity and kindness.
The Health Charity received wonderful stories about how children and young people had shaved their heads to raise money, held sponsored silences (much to their parent’s delight!!), held toys sales, book sales and made homemade crafts to sell on their doorsteps in lockdown.
Thousands of pounds were raised to help make a difference to patients and staff in hospitals – at a time when it was needed the most.
Simone Joslyn, Head of Cardiff and Vale Health Charity and Arts said: “I’d like to thank all of our inspirational young fundraisers for all that they have done to help raise funds to make a difference to our patients and staff throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan – it is very much appreciated.”
Here are just a few stories about some of those inspirational young people.
Amelie’s – Charity Haircut
Amelie had been asking Mum Rhiannon lots of questions about Coronavirus and proudly stayed home, stayed safe to help protect the NHS and all the key workers.
Amelie wanted to do something to help make a difference, so came up with the idea of cutting her long hair so that she could raise money for the NHS.
Amber Dwyer – Care Packages
Amber provided good quality moisturiser, face wipes, lip balm and hand cream as care packages for healthcare staff who constantly wore masks and goggles. Her Mum Karen, a Physiotherapy Technician, helped to deliver over forty packs to colleagues working on Covid-19 wards and Intensive Care Units.
Betsy Bodman – Toy Sale
Betsy had a clear out of her toys and decided to have a toy sale outside her house to raise money for the NHS. She delivered leaflets about the toy sale to all the houses in her street and the surrounding area so that those out on their daily walk could pop by and pick up a toy.
Cai Floyd – Spin Cycle Challenge
Cai embarked on a spin cycling challenge covering the distance between his home town of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, to the Nightingale Hospital in London – a distance of 172 miles/ 276 km. Cai finished strong, listening to the classic song ‘Eye of the Tiger’. Cai had a surprise visit from Rugby star, Jamie Roberts after completing his fundraising challenge.
Daniel Rowlands’ Cycle Climb
Daniel wanted to show his support for the NHS so he decided to start a fundraising challenge. Daniel set out to continuously cycle up Rhiwbina Hill without stopping during his daily exercise. Daniel completed the 2,893 metre challenge all in one go.
Emily Chirighin’s – 177 Mile Challenge
Inspired by other NHS fundraising heroes such as Captain Sir Tom Moore and Geriant Thomas, Emily wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS. Emily decided to challenge herself to cycle the equivalent distance between Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, covering a total distance of 177 miles within seven days. She completed her epic challenge, cycling nearly the equivalent of a marathon each day.
‘Eseta Tapa’atoutai-Uhi’s – 2.6 Challenge
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s local superhero ‘Eseta Tapa’atoutai-Uhi! ‘Estea. This superhero decided that she would participate in the 2.6 Challenge and pledged to cycle up and down her back lane 26 times, a distance of 2.9 miles, all whilst dressed as Wonder Woman to support her local NHS.
‘Eseta, with the help of her canine companion, triumphantly completed her challenge – she is a Wonder Woman!
Finley Jack Gately – Head Shave
Finley Jack wanted to do his bit for the NHS, so with the help of his dad and a set of clippers, he shaved his head to raise money.
Fletcher Jones – Brave the Shave
Fletcher wanted to give something back to the amazing NHS staff who have previously looked after him when he received medical attention. In order to raise funds for his local hospitals, Fletcher decided to shave his head and raised plenty of smiles in the process.
Football Academy3CDF – Virtual Bingo
The Football Academy fundraised for the NHS by hosting a Bingo night. The night was really successful, and raise plenty in donations – back of the net!!
Georgie and Frankie – Loom Bands
Georgie and Frankie wanted to help NHS staff during the Covid-19 crisis by raising some money. The future entrepreneurs decided to make colourful loom bands and set up a table outside their house to hand out to passers-by in return for a donation to Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
Jack Jordan’s – Garth Mountain Challenge
Jack wanted to show his support to the NHS during a very difficult time. Jack’s mum, Nicola, works as a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and had been redeployed to assist staff on the wards of St David’s Hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic. Inspired by his Mum, Jack therefore decided to start a fundraising challenge NHS staff who worked tirelessly caring for patients.
Jack loves cycling and as a way of showing his thanks, decided to do what he loves the most and challenge himself to cycle from his house up Garth Mountain with his dad.
Max and Alfie’s Eight Hour Den Challenge
Inspired by stories of VE Day and World War II, Max and Alfie built a den in Alfie and his twin brother Noah’s bedroom to replicate a bomb shelter. They challenged themselves to remain in the den for eight hours taking a five minute break every hour to stretch their legs.
Supported by their brother and sister, Noah and Chloe, who were on hand to provide drinks, food and much needed encouragement, the pair completed their challenge with ease! Not only did they complete their challenge, but also smashed their fundraising target too!
Millie Catherall – Neighbourhood Fundraising
Millie, helped by her Mum Jayne, brought her neighbours together during the pandemic with a series of activities and events. As well as doing the weekly shopping for some of the older members of their street, the pair have organised a VE day celebration, a Bake Off competition with 23 entries and have been holding regular street get-togethers to help with social isolation and also selling books and toys to raise money for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity.
Patrick John’s – Meals on Wheels Fundraising
Chef hats off to Patrick who cooked for his neighbours during the pandemic! Patrick loves cooking and not only has he treated his neighbours to delicious meals (including his Chicken Korma speciality) but also decided to fundraise for Cardiff & Vale Health Charity at the same time.
Shannon Joslyn’s – Head Shave
Part of the extended Cardiff & Vale Health Charity family, Shannon was inspired to raise money by pledging to shave her head if she raised £200 to support Cardiff and Vale NHS staff members. Shannon smashed her fundraising target and now has a new look too!
Twm Huw’s – 10×100 Challenge
Inspired and motivated by NHS fundraising hero CaptainSir Tom Moore, ‘Capten’ Twm wanted to show his support for the NHS.
As a way of showing his thanks, Twm pledged to complete a 10×100 challenge at 10am on Sunday 10th May. Twm’s herculean challenge involved; 100 laps of his back-lane; 100 pogo jumps; 100 times up and down his stairs; 100 football keep-ups; 100 star jumps; 100 press-ups; 100 minutes silence; 100 burpees; 100 skips and 100 sit-ups.