Pioneering Newport charity celebrating 40th anniversary
The Gwent Cardiac Rehab Trust Fund - which is based at St Woolos Hospital in Newport - has been providing help and support to people suffering with heart problems in Gwent for many years.
The charity was established in 1985 by Ron and Gaynor Colbourne and helped fund Wales' very first cardiac rehabilitation programme, leading the way in supporting those dealing with heart-related issues.
Jill Evans, an integral part of the charity from the beginning, passionately recounted the origins of this venture.
She said: "40 years ago, I was determined to bring cardiac rehab to Wales having witnessed it first hand at St. Georges Hospital in London.
"All I needed now was some dedicated fundraising expertise, and in came Ron and Gaynor."
Ron and Gaynor's tireless dedication and fundraising skills have left an indelible mark on the organisation.
Co-founder Gaynor Colbourne said: "I was clerk on our coronary care unit when Jill approached me and I was totally sold on the idea.
"Ron and I had fundraising experience so we were more than willing to get stuck in.
"I'm enormously proud that the fundraising efforts Ron and I started all those years ago are continuing to this day."
Adding to the spirit of collective effort, Jill Evans said: "The rehab programme and trust will always be very much a family affair, with great support from patients' husbands, wives, partners, and children.
"They are alongside us every step of the way, which means the trust and rehab programme continues to go from strength to strength."
Carrying forward this legacy, the charity's current chair, Brian Begg, highlighted Gwent Cardiac's current efforts after being at the forefront of the rehabilitation field for four decades.
He said: "Cardiac rehab is a vital part of the recovery process for both patients and family."
The charity supports a wide range of initiatives including community grants, support for trainer qualifications, provision of medical equipment, and research contributions.
The group has also been giving grants to local community groups in the Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, and Monmouthshire areas to get them back up and running after COVID national lockdowns.
Grants have also been given to local instructors for them to attain specific exercise qualifications, enabling them to work with cardiac patients.
Wireless heart monitors have also been provided to help individuals exercise freely while their cardiac function is monitored.
This allows more vulnerable inhabitants to improve their fitness in a controlled and safe environment as any cardiac irregularities can be immediately picked up on and addressed.
The team has also provided groups with exercise equipment ranging from resistance bands and weights, to exercise bikes and rowing machines.
They have sponsored scientific research into the best types of exercise for cardiac rehabilitation, through the sponsorship of a Newport-based PhD student, which was featured in the New Scientist magazine.
They have also paid for the specialised training and conference attendances for specialist cardiac nurses.
Mr Begg expressed his willingness to expand on this "great story of how the determination of a handful of NHS professionals led to Newport and Gwent being a real pioneer across Wales and the UK", urging people to reach out to him for further details.
The charity supports the following hospitals across Gwent: Newport St Woolos, Pontypool County Hospital, Ystrad Mynach Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, and Abergavenny Nevill Hall.
For more information, please visit the charity's website.
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