Jodie Mann and a group of her former catering colleagues have raised £1,877.04 for the Chemotherapy Day Unit at Glangwili Hospital by climbing Pen y Fan at sunrise in memory of Jodie's mum.
The group, who formed a bond while working together in a catering kitchen, made a promise to stay in touch after leaving their jobs. Wanting to turn their ongoing friendship into something meaningful, they rallied together to honour Jodie's mum through a charity challenge.
In the quiet hours of a May morning, the team traded their aprons for hiking boots and set off up the slopes of Pen y Fan, reaching the summit just as the sunrise broke over the horizon.
Funds to Support Families Facing Cancer
The early-morning trek raised £1,877.04 for the Chemotherapy Day Unit at Glangwili Hospital, with the money intended to support other families facing cancer. Jodie explained that her mum was undergoing her second round of treatment but caught pneumonia halfway through and had to stop. Unfortunately, she passed away before finishing.
Jodie said: “My mum was going through her second round of treatment but caught pneumonia halfway through so had to stop. Unfortunately, she passed away before finishing.”
She added: “I am so grateful to the wonderful staff for the care and support they gave to my mum, and I will be forever grateful to them for the extra time I got to spend with her.”
Hospital Staff Express Gratitude
Jessica Michael, senior sister at the Chemotherapy Day Unit, thanked the group for their efforts. She said: “On behalf of the staff and patients at the Chemotherapy Day Unit at Glangwili Hospital, I would like to thank you for your fundraising efforts resulting in a very generous donation of £1,877. We are always looking at ways to improve the environment and improve the way we care for patients within the Chemotherapy Day Unit. Please be assured that this money will go towards this improvement. Thank you!”
Claire Rumble, fundraising officer, also praised the group. She said: “What a lovely tribute to Jodie’s mum. Thank you all for taking the time to fundraise in aid of the Chemotherapy Day Unit. The generous charitable donations we receive don’t replace NHS funding. Instead, they are used to provide items and activities above and beyond core NHS expenditure, such as more welcoming surroundings for patients, families and staff, and up-to-date equipment.”
How to Support the Charity
The donation will help improve the environment and patient care at the unit. For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, visit hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales. The location is Carmarthen in Carmarthenshire.
