This October me and my brother are taking on the Manchester 1/2 marathon in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff.

Earlier this year, my son Elis underwent surgery, after several appointments and visits to Noah’s ark since he was born in 2022. Thankfully everything was successful and we are now moving forward together as a family, however I felt it was important I give something back for the amazing support and care the hospital gave to us and will continue to give us over the coming months. We feel so lucky to live so close to the amazing facility and that Elis hasn’t had to stay in for an extended period of time but not every child or family is so lucky. This is why it’s so key people raise money for the charity, so they can continue to help the most ill and vulnerable children from across Wales.

Each year, around 73,000 children go to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales for specialist and often life-saving care. The charity believe that every one of those children deserves access to the best possible medical care and child-centred support, over and above what the NHS can provide alone.

Thanks to donations, the charity can ensure that treatment and outcomes for children can continue to improve by funding new and innovative medical equipment and facilities. They’re also able to support children and families in the here and now through their emotional support service and the much-loved play specialist team. They invest in the future by providing technology that helps train the bright clinicians of tomorrow. They’re finally able to make the hospital a less frightening and more familiar place for children by creating family-friendly environments and by sprinkling a little fun and happiness into hospital days. Which is something we felt first hand.

So, with training now well under way, please give anything you can, to help all those children who continue to need the support and care from this amazing facility.

Thank you in advance for your support, it’s really appreciated.

Tom