The Swansea Bay community has reached an incredible milestone, raising £200,000 for Swansea Bay Health Charity's Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal. This funding will help transform cancer care for thousands of patients across South West Wales every year.
The landmark was reached following the success of Touched by Cancer, a women's touch rugby tournament held on Saturday, August 8, which raised an incredible £54,000 for the appeal – taking fundraising beyond its ambitious £200,000 target.
Transforming the Cancer Centre
Launched in September 2024, the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal set out to transform the former chemotherapy unit at the South West Wales Cancer Centre, Singleton Hospital, into a modern outpatient department, creating a warmer, more welcoming environment for patients while bringing key cancer services together in one location.
The project will improve access to consultants, specialist nurses, pharmacists and therapy teams, while creating a more comfortable, patient-centred experience for the thousands of people who receive cancer treatment at the centre each year from Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
Community Support and Fundraising
Russell Banner, clinical director at the South West Wales Cancer Centre, said: "These improvements will create a more welcoming and supportive space for patients and their families, bringing services closer together and helping us provide more coordinated, patient-centred care. This appeal is a much-welcomed investment in the experience and wellbeing of patients receiving cancer treatment across South West Wales and I am so grateful for all the time and effort that the community has put into raising these funds."
The appeal has been powered by hundreds of fundraisers, donors, local businesses, schools, community groups, NHS staff and volunteers who have organised everything from marathons and mountain climbs to bake sales, golf days, charity events and sponsored challenges over the past two years.
The final push came through Touched by Cancer, where women's touch rugby teams from across South Wales united to raise an outstanding £54,000, ensuring the appeal crossed the finish line. In total, the tournament has raised £78,000 for the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal, contributing more than a third (39 per cent) of the £200,000 appeal total. This has largely been driven by fundraisers’ emotional stories and connections to the cancer centre.
Impact and Future Plans
Cathy Stevens, community support charity officer at Swansea Bay Health Charity, commented: "This shows what can be achieved when the Swansea Bay community comes together. The South West Wales Cancer Centre does an amazing job in caring for thousands of patients per year. The Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal will add to this by going above and beyond core NHS funding – refurbishing the space to be more welcoming and less clinical. Achieving our fundraising goal allows us to begin the refurbishment, making a lasting impact to cancer patients and their families for years to come."
Among those inspired to support the appeal is Rachel Cole, who completed the Swansea Half Marathon in memory of her mum, Sandra, who received treatment at the South West Wales Cancer Centre. Rachel is delighted to hear that the target has been met and that she has helped towards this. She added: "Having improved facilities and a comfortable and welcoming environment can make all the difference to those individuals going through such a hard time in their lives as it's such an emotionally draining experience."
The £200,000 investment will help create a more welcoming outpatient department, reopen a volunteer-led tea bar, and enhance the experience of cancer patients and their loved ones for many years to come. Every person who donated, fundraised, volunteered, sponsored an event or shared the appeal has helped make this transformation possible – proving what can be achieved when a community goes the extra mile together.
