May Fundraising Wrap Up
Velindre’s dedicated fundraisers have had another jam-packed month! With exciting activities from marathons, sponsored dinners and chutney-making to nail-biting skydives and a special spotlight on our runners and Carten100 cyclists! We celebrate this month’s incredible fundraisers below…
Our Carten100 2025 Cyclists’ Spotlight
On 10th May, Velindre’s cyclists took part in the Carten100 bike ride, a 100-mile race from Cardiff to Tenby to raise essential funds for Velindre Cancer Charity. We want to say a shout out to:
Gareth Jones, Fraser McAvoy and Damian Owen (JustGiving page here)
Grace Herrington, Fox Moving and Storage Ltd (JustGiving page here)
Nick O’Donnell and the David Lloyd’s team (JustGiving page here)
Liam Ballard (JustGiving page here)
Thomas Dalton (JustGiving page here)
Liane Gooding (JustGiving page here)
Liam Ballard spoke on his JustGiving page about his motivation to fundraise for Velindre: “This personal cycling event is not just a test of endurance for me; it is an opportunity to raise funds for a fantastic charity that helps so many people in need.”
Thomas Dalton also said: “I will be completing the CARTEN100 in memory of Mum, as well as raising money for a charity extremely close to my heart, for all the work and support they provide for families going through the battle against these cruel illnesses.”
A massive thank you and congratulations to all our cyclists who completed the race—what a truly amazing achievement!
The Llantarnam Skydiving Team dive 15,000 feet!
The incredible Llantarnam Skydiving team took on a whopping 15,000 feet dive on 10th May in aid of Velindre Cancer Charity! The team comprising Tracey, Tammy, Chris, Cath, Sharon and Keith completed the freefall in perfect weather over the beautiful Gower Peninsula near Swansea, where they reached speeds of 125 mph in the air!
The whole team had an amazing day, full of experiences and laughs. Their colleague Pete, who joined the team in support on the day came through his cancer treatment last year.
Pete said: “When attending Velindre for treatment my eyes were opened to the size of the task these medical professionals (angels!) undertake.
With patients scared and anxious of their road ahead, the teams do all they can to put you at ease. I can only thank all these people that work so tirelessly and have enabled me to be here today.”
The Skydiving Team spoke about their motivation for fundraising for Velindre, saying:
“Last year Pete came through his battle with cancer with [Velindre’s] amazing support; as a nod to our dear colleague and to yourselves in your amazing work, we are all humbled and honoured to support Velindre.”
The team raised an astounding £4,130 and generously funded the costs of the skydive themselves so 100% of all donations went directly to Velindre Cancer Charity! Congratulations to the whole team for taking fundraising to amazing new heights!
Lynne’s tasty chutneys
Lynne Hyde has been busy this month cooking up a range of tasty chutneys with the proceeds donated to Velindre Cancer Charity! So far, Lynne has donated an amazing £100 to the charity.
Lynne was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer last year and commented on the care she received at Velindre:
“Just to say a massive thank you for saving my life. I cannot thank the staff from all departments for what you have done for me.”
Lynne hasn’t stopped at chutneys and has recently begun crocheting, with plans to set up a craft stall to raise even more money!
A huge thank you to Lynne!
Our runners’ spotlight!
#TeamVelindre’s runners have been busy again! We showcase their incredible activities in our special runners’ spotlight.
Kirsten Williams-Lee completed the AJ Bell Great Run Manchester Half Marathon!
Kirsten Williams-Lee ran the AJ Bell Great Run Manchester Half Marathon this month to raise essential funds for Velindre and to celebrate her beloved dad. Kirsten’s dad was treated at the centre and is now in remission. Although it was the most challenging thing Kirsten has ever done, she was inspired by her dad and the resilience of everyone undergoing treatment, which gave her the hope and drive she needed to achieve her goal.
Kirsten said: “I know in that moment my parents had never been prouder of me but truly I had never been more proud of them; living with cancer, through cancer and after cancer is life changing and we are very lucky to have each other.
I will indefinitely be grateful to the entire Velindre team for their commitment and generosity and to their patients and further, their families.”
A massive congratulations to Kirsten on her incredible achievement!
Sian took on the Birmingham 10K!
Sian took on the Birmingham 10K this May with an amazing new personal best of 1 hour and 3 minutes! Sian had only run one other 10K before but managed to knock 7 minutes off her time, encouraged by her dad who ran alongside her. Sian raised an incredible £1,113 for Velindre, where her beloved uncle is being treated.
Sian said on her JustGiving page: “Unfortunately in the last 12 months we have become a family in the care of Velindre, my amazing Uncle got diagnosed with an incurable cancer last year and is such an inspirational person who I look up to so much, he means the world to me. Every day he continues to live his life making as many memories as possible and living life to the full […] we are grateful for every day, and I wanted to do something to help raise money for the people that are taking so much care of him.”
Well done Sian on your fundraising and new PB! Visit Sian’s JustGiving page here.
Velindre’s runners complete the Manchester Marathon!
Sian Porter
Sian Porter completed the Manchester Marathon and raised an amazing £1,660 for Velindre! Despite the bad weather and an injury, Sian and her family had a great day and Sian was spurred on by her dad and all the other Velindre runners she saw along the course!
Congratulations Sian!
Harry Thynne
Harry Thynne also completed the Manchester Marathon and raised £595 for Velindre! Harry said:
“The marathon was incredible—there were so many people and the atmosphere was fantastic. I managed to make it all the way around in 4hs 45min, which I’m very proud of for my first ever marathon.
I’m even prouder of being able to support Velindre and have been blown away by the generosity of my friends, family and work colleagues.”
Well done to Harry! Visit Harry’s JustGiving page here.
Dav completed the Newport Marathon!
Dav ran the Newport Marathon last month in aid of Velindre and in memory of his beloved mum, Jayne, who was cared for at the centre.
Reflecting on his mum’s care, Dav said:
“The time that Velindre gifted us allowed my lovely mum to meet all 4 of her grandchildren, it allowed her to connect with friends & family old and new……it allowed her to live her life again.
I’m proud to have been able to give something back to Velindre, raise awareness and raise funds to contribute towards their priceless work and specialist treatment, so that other patients and their families are afforded the treatment and time that we were so lucky to have.”
A massive well done to Dav!
A Memorial Charity Dinner at Mounton Brook Lodge, Chepstow
On 26th April 2025, Stuart Dent organised a Memorial Charity Dinner at Mounton Brook Lodge, which was hosted by Chepstow & District 41 Club, an organisation of ex-Round Tablers. The fundraising event took place in memory of one of their members who was looked after at Velindre before they sadly passed away from prostate cancer.
The club raised an amazing £5,000 for Velindre Cancer Charity—a massive achievement for a small, yet incredibly generous community! Congratulations and thank you to the whole club and everyone that donated!
United Welsh staff raise over £6,000 for Velindre!
In 2024, United Welsh nominated Velindre Cancer Charity as their Charity of the Year and after 12 months of exciting fundraising activities, they’ve raised an incredible £6,100!
Staff across the organisation took part in a range of activities from bake sales and running races to walking 30,000 steps a day.
Richard Mann, Group Chief Executive at United Welsh, said: “We are proud to have raised such a brilliant amount for Velindre and we hope it make a meaningful contribution to the vital work they do.”
We want to say a huge thank you to United Welsh for their generosity and support!
Molson Coors raise £2,000 for Velindre!
Molson Coors are long-term supporters of Velindre Cancer Charity—from choosing us as their Charity of the Year for a second time, taking part in our event, ‘A Mile a Day in May’ and other events over the years, we’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing support.
This year, the team have raised funds by taking part in the Carten100 cycle from Cardiff to Tenby, hosting bake sales, an easter egg hunt, ping pong and so many more exciting activities! This year, the team have raised an incredible £2,000 for Velindre—an amazing achievement! Congratulations to everyone at Molson Coors!
Cardiff Bus raise over £12,000 for Velindre!
Cardiff Bus have raised an enormous £12,091 for Velindre Cancer Charity—their 2025 Charity of the Year!
From bake sales and raffles to staff fundraising events, it’s been a fantastic journey of giving back to a cause that means so much to so many at Cardiff Bus.
The team at Cardiff Bus said: “A huge thank you to everyone who donated, participated, and supported us along the way. Your kindness will help Velindre continue providing world-class care and support to cancer patients and their families. Here’s to making a difference, together.”
We want to say such a huge thank you to Cardiff Bus and to everyone that donated!
How your fundraising makes a difference
With the generous support of our fundraisers, we can fund life-changing research and clinical trials here at Velindre. With 1 in 2 people developing cancer in their lifetime, investing in research and clinical trials has never been more important. Initial contributions help us to launch more research projects and clinical trials than ever before, but ongoing donations and fundraising are the driving force that gets new treatments over the line, bringing all-important research from the lab to the patient’s bedside.
Knowing that we’ll have the support of our donors and fundraisers means we can invest in long-term research and clinical trials with confidence—ensuring that our patients and families benefit from the life-changing results of Velindre’s work. By supporting us, our fundraisers are helping to put our patients at the forefront of cancer research in Wales—working towards a future where we achieve Victory Over Cancer.
Thank you!
We want to say a huge thank you to all our incredible fundraisers this month! Your dedication, energy and support make all the difference and we can’t wait to see what June brings! Thank you for being part of #TeamVelindre!
