I feel deeply privileged and proud to be recognised in the New Year’s Honour’s List, especially as it relates to a cause so close to my heart.
“On behalf of all at Velindre University NHS Trust, Congratulations Jonathan and thank you for your unwavering efforts and commitment to our cause.”
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Velindre President Jonathan Davies OBE has been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List, receiving the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
This honour acknowledges Jonathan’s outstanding services to people with cancer and his remarkable contribution to Velindre University NHS Trust Charity. Jonathan’s relationship with Velindre began in 2007 when he first accepted the role of Charity Patron. Since becoming Charity President in 2009, he has inspired and united an entire community of donors, fundraisers, staff and volunteers and for much of that time, has taken part in overseas challenges, championed local fundraising initiatives, and secured the support of countless celebrities and partners along the way.
As a Charity, we are immensely grateful for the time, dedication and passion Jonathan has brought to every aspect of his charity work with Velindre. His commitment has played a vital role in raising awareness of the inspiring care and innovation taking place here each day.
An official statement from Velindre President Jonathan Davies OBE
“I feel deeply privileged and proud to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List, especially as it relates to a cause so close to my heart.
During my time as President, Velindre Cancer Charity has raised over £50 million, an extraordinary achievement and a powerful investment in cancer services across South-East Wales. It has been a privilege to experience exhilarating fundraising events and overseas challenges, witness new support services being launched within the centre, and to see clinical trials progress from early ideas to standardised treatments that now change lives.
Thanks to this generosity, the charity has been able to fund vital support services, including 50% of Velindre’s specialist nurses, more than a decade of essential psychology and counselling support, dedicated rooms and resources for children and families, and over £13.5 million towards ground-breaking research and clinical trials, to name a few.
I know personally how crucial these services are to patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis.
When I was 12, my dad was diagnosed with cancer at a time where no one really knew what it was. Later, tragedy struck again when my wife received a cancer diagnosis when our children were just 7, 3 and 1 years old. Since then, I have continued to support friends and loves ones through treatment and unfortunately, like many of us, have lost some great friends to cancer. These experiences and memories make our fundraising and donations more important than ever.
The true success lies not in the total raised but in the people who make it possible. I have cycled beside fundraisers whose passion has moved me to tears, listened to leading clinicians talk about shaping the future of cancer care, and met patients who feel the tangible impact of our work. Meeting them, hearing their stories, and seeing the difference we make brings everything into focus and reminds us why we do what we do.
Our success is their hope and, I am deeply proud to stand alongside everyone who helps make that hope a reality.“
A look back through the years…
