Latest news with #CardiffHalfMarathon
South Wales Guardian
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Rhydian Jones to play tennis for 24 hours for charity
Rhydian Jones, from Llandybie, Carmarthenshire, will take on 24 hours of non-stop tennis followed by the Cardiff Half Marathon. He hopes to raise £1,200 for the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity, which supported his wife Angharad throughout her cancer treatment. In 2023, five months after their wedding, the couple received the devastating news that Angharad had Hodgkin's lymphoma. The charity provided them with grants and personal support during this difficult time and Angharad is now in remission. They also showed their support by sending pyjamas for their young daughter Mabli. Read more Rhydian is determined to give back to ensure other families receive the same care and kindness. Mr Jones said: "In 2023, just five months after our incredible wedding, we were dealt the most devastating news — Angharad had cancer. "A word that brings fear and uncertainty. "But today, I am beyond grateful to say: Angharad is one year in remission from Hodgkin's lymphoma." In an emotional message on his JustGiving page, Mr Jones expressed his gratitude to the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity for their support during Angharad's treatment. He said: "The Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity was one of the first charities to offer us support while Angharad was receiving treatment. "Eirlys, in particular, gave a personal touch when checking in on Angharad, and made sure she and our little girl, Mabli, were okay." Mr Jones will start his gruelling challenge at Llandybie Tennis Courts, where he will play tennis continuously for 24 hours starting at 12pm on August 9. He will then tackle the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 5. Mr Jones admitted that the challenge will be "physically and mentally demanding" but said he is "genuinely excited" to take it on. He said: "As most of you know, I'm not much of a runner, but I know the pain I'll face is nothing compared to what Angharad and other cancer patients have to endure. "Every donation, no matter how small, helps provide support to individuals and families who are on their cancer journey." The couple hopes their fundraising effort will help the charity continue to provide support to young adults in Wales who are fighting cancer. Mr Jones added: "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support — whether through a donation or simply sharing this page. "Together, we can help give the Sir Gareth Edwards Cancer Charity the recognition it deserves, and support families across Wales for many years to come."
South Wales Argus
27-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Calon Hearts offering free heart screenings for young people
Calon Hearts, a charity known for its work in heart health across Wales, is now providing free heart screenings for 16 to 25-year-olds in various locations throughout Wales and the UK. The screenings, which can be booked on the Calon Hearts website, were inspired by the tragic death of 25-year-old Ben McDonald, who died from an undiagnosed heart condition at the finish line of the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2018. The charity has made significant contributions to heart health over the past 13 years, installing more than 35,000 defibrillators, training more than 195,000 in CPR, and screening at least 26,400 hearts for potential life-threatening conditions. Calon Hearts operates solely on public donations and fundraising events, receiving no government support. The charity stresses the importance of heart screening, revealing that one in four screenings require further investigation. For more information and to book a screening, visit the Calon Hearts website.
Business News Wales
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Principality Building Society Celebrates Pride Cymru with Breakfast Event
(L-R) Gemma Bowen, Chief People Officer and Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer for Principality Building Society Headline sponsors of this year's Pride Cymru event, Principality Building Society, saw an impressive turnout at its annual colleague breakfast event to kick off Wales' biggest celebration of equality and diversity. Ahead of this year's Pride march, Principality hosted a breakfast event at the Parkgate Hotel to bring together colleagues, friends, and family and show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Led by Principality's Chief Customer Officer, and Executive Sponsor of the building society's internal Pride Network, Vicky Wales, the breakfast celebration attracted more than 100 attendees. Guests heard a speech from Duncan Alexander, founder of Principality's Pride network before they represented the society in the march with branded Pride t-shirts. Principality employees and their friends and families took part in the mile-long parade, reaffirming the society's ongoing commitment as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and its pledge to creating a fairer society. This year marked the second year of Principality's third-year partnership deal with Pride Cymru as the headline sponsor. Looking forward, Principality's branch network across Wales will further support local Pride events in Newport, Abergavenny and Torfaen. One highlight will be the return of the Rainbow Roundabout at this year's Cardiff Half Marathon's on Sunday, 5th October, located between miles 10 and 12 of the course in Penylan. Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer at Principality Building Society, said: 'Our partnership with Pride Cymru is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure everyone feels seen, heard and valued. I am especially proud of our internal Pride network, whose passion and commitment made this year's Pride event another success. 'As we mark our 165th year, we're proud to continue to strive for inclusivity and a fairer society within the communities we proudly serve. Our Pride breakfast was a vibrant and meaningful way for our colleagues, their friends and family to celebrate before joining the parade and the festivities across the weekend.' Dan Walsh, Chair of Pride Cymru said: 'Pride is about joy, celebration and unity and it's always a pleasure to see Principality Building Society embrace that so wholeheartedly. We are grateful for their dedication in championing inclusivity and creating spaces where everyone feels valued. A household name across Wales, Principality's active allyship to the LGBTQ+ tells people, whichever city, town or village they live in Wales that there is a place for them in a modern, inclusive Wales.'
Business News Wales
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Mentera Celebrates Raising £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales
Mentera, a leading business support and development organisation, has raised £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales over two years of dedicated fundraising. Cancer Research Wales is an independent Welsh charity and the only charity dedicated to funding cancer research in Wales, for Wales. The sum was raised through a diverse range of fundraising activities undertaken by Mentera staff. The decision to extend the charity partnership for a second year was made following the brave battle of a valued team member, Elan Davies, who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The organisation said it was now thrilled to share that Elan has successfully completed her treatment and is in remission. It added that it was 'profoundly grateful' for the generosity and support from Elan's family, friends, and the wider community, whose contributions greatly boosted the fundraising efforts. Elan Davies said: 'I'm incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my colleagues at Mentera throughout my treatment journey, and I'm immensely proud and fortunate to work for an organisation that demonstrates such deep commitment to its employees and making a positive impact in the community. To see our collective efforts culminate in this remarkable total for Cancer Research Wales is truly inspiring. Now, being in remission, contributing to research that could benefit people here in Wales, facing diagnoses similar to mine, means even more to me.' Llŷr Roberts, CEO of Mentera, said: 'We are incredibly proud of our staff's sustained dedication and fundraising efforts. To have collectively raised £17,500 for Cancer Research Wales is a testament to their commitment and generosity. This charity remains incredibly close to our hearts, and we continue to be inspired by Elan's courage, resilience, and positivity throughout her treatment. We are honoured to play a part in funding vital research, finding new treatments, and supporting those, like Elan, who are affected by cancer, ultimately contributing to a healthier Wales.' Mentera employees raised the funds for two consecutive years. Their diverse efforts included a team of 20 members of staff, joined by Elan's husband Iwan, participating in the Cardiff Half Marathon, organising festive Christmas jumper days, hosting fun-filled bingo nights, auctions, raffles and various other initiatives. Iwan Rhys Roberts, Communications and Marketing Manager for Cancer Research Wales, said: 'We are immensely grateful for the Mentera team's ongoing dedication and support for Cancer Research Wales. As the Welsh cancer research charity, we rely on the kindness of the people of Wales for their donations which allow us to fund the pioneering research into cancer that we support here in Wales. Mentera's contribution – an incredible £17,500, will help us to continue funding the brightest researchers, clinicians, and health professionals who are pushing the boundaries of cancer research discoveries right here in Wales for the benefit of the people of Wales.' Mentera recognises the importance of a healthy population for a thriving Wales. By supporting Cancer Research Wales, Mentera said it goes beyond its core activities, actively contributing to the well-being of current and future generations. It added that this long-standing commitment 'perfectly aligns with Mentera's values and its vision for a healthier and more prosperous Wales'.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Animal lovers urged to help RSPCA at Cardiff Half Marathon
The RSPCA is offering charity places for the first time in the Cardiff Half Marathon, taking place on Sunday, October 5. Participants will help raise funds for the charity's work in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, while volunteers are also needed to join the charity's cheer team on the day. Abi Mustard, events manager at the RSPCA, said: 'Our amazing fundraisers do vital work supporting us in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming or releasing thousands of animals every year. "By raising money for the RSPCA, you'll join animal lovers from across the region, and the whole country, determined to stop animal cruelty and neglect." Runners get a personalised RSPCA running vest, digital fundraising pack with ideas to help reach their target with help from the events team and access to a team Strava group to share training progress.
