In June 2024, myself (Isaac) and my best friend Carl are going to tackle the Welsh Three Peaks to raise money for a really important cause close to our hearts.

The Welsh Three Peaks Challenge consists of climbing Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen-y-Fan in less than 24-hours. The total walking distance is 17 miles and an ascent of 2334 metres.

Why are we taking on the challenge? To raise funds for the Rainbow Ward at Noah's Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales - the lead centre for paediatric oncology in South and West Wales – and for one special little girl, our Mila.

Back in October 2023, Mila’s parents found a lump on Mila’s stomach. Thinking it was a hernia, Mila was taken to the GP. After a referral to a paediatrician, Mila was transferred to Rainbow Ward.

After an Xray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, MIBG, biopsy, blood tests and urine samples, it was discovered that Mila had Neuroblastoma – a rare cancer that affects around 100 children a year in the UK (about 6% of the total number of childhood cancer diagnoses). You can read more on Neuroblastoma here.

Mila then had a Hickman line put in and, 14 days after starting chemotherapy, she started to lose her hair. After being poorly, Mila was finally well enough to go onto her second lot of chemo and then her third.

After many lows, including complete isolation, Mila underwent a big and complex surgery to remove the tumour in her abdomen. She had morphine, an epidural and paracetamol through an IV to help with the pain – she was on so much pain relief that her awake window was really small. However, miraculously, on the fourth day after surgery Mila was sitting up all by herself and came off all IV pain relief!

After her surgery, Mila had strong mop-up chemo which made her really poorly again. She had mucositis which put her off food and drink for 8 days, so she lost a lot of weight. Once she recovered, she was straight in for radiotherapy at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.

Now Mila has finished her course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is on 13-cis-retinol acid medicine for the next 6 months.

The last several months have been complete stress, heartache and worry for Mila’s family. The Rainbow Ward has been nothing short of amazing and have really gone above and beyond to support them during this difficult time.

To show our appreciation for this fantastic ward and to support Mila, we want to raise funds to:

• Create vests for children in all different sizes to help kids keep their central line safe and secure. Mila’s Mum made one for Mila during her chemotherapy and staff at the hospital loved the idea as they were accessible, kept the line safe from being pulled on and kept their dressing on their chest nice and secure.

• Create treat boxes for kids. On Rainbow Ward, they have a box called the 'brave box' which is a treat box for kids when they need cheering up. The things they go through is unimaginably horrendous, so this little box really does put a smile on their faces.

• We’d also love to contribute to Mila visiting her family in Thailand for the first time when she is well again – she would love to see her Grandmother (Yai), Great-Grandmother and family in person. This has been a long time coming and is a great wish for Mila's family in Thailand.

Whether you’re able to read and share this story, or donate whatever you can, it’s really appreciated and is going towards a special hospital and a special little girl.