Nearly 400 Rhondda charity walkers step out to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support
Nearly 400 charity walkers braved the soaring heat to be part of the special 10th anniversary Macmillan Rhondda Walk on Saturday 7 July.
This year, the money raised from the walk will go to the Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Specialist Unit – a £7million palliative care unit being built at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, which is planned to open in spring 2019.
Macmillan Is donating £5m towards the unit; £2.5m of which has been donated by the National Garden Scheme.
Broadcaster and journalist, Carolyn Hitt officially started the walk at Coleg Y Cymoedd Rhondda Campus.
Speaking about supporting Macmillan Cancer Support in Wales, Carolyn Hitt, said: “I'm delighted to have been cheering on the amazing participants of Macmillan Cancer Support's Rhondda Walk especially as they are all helping to build the new Y Bwthyn at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
“My family has had personal experiences of the excellent palliative care at Y Bwthyn and it is great to hear of these developments as it'll have such a huge impact on the community.”
Nicola Newhams, Fundraising Manger for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “It never ceases to amaze me the fantastic level of support we see at the Rhondda Walk.
“Year after year, the number of walkers increases. The support from the public has once again been awesome, we cannot thank the communities of the Rhondda enough.
“Businesses and members of the public throughout the walk came out and cheered on the walkers and once again gave so generously.”
Since the first walk in 2008, the Rhondda Walk has raised approximately £250,000 and the ambition of this year’s walks (including September’s Macmillan Llantrisant walk) will to raise £50,000 for the Y Bwthyn appeal.
Lead Volunteer, and Rhondda Walk Fundraising Group Chairman, Jeff Cowland of Tonypandy, said, “The Rhondda Walk really shows off the generosity of the people of the Rhondda, whether walking, volunteering, cheering on the day or making a donation.
“We couldn’t do what we do without such amazing support and we are looking forward to the next 10 years to help raise even more money to help people living with cancer in the Rhondda.”
More than 50 volunteers supported the walk this year, fulfilling a number of roles including registrations and handing out much needed water to the walkers.
Speaking about the importance of volunteers to the event, Nicola Newhams said: “I’d like to say a huge thank to our amazing team of almost 50 volunteers who made this year’s walk possible.
“I’d like to add a very special thanks to Coleg Y Cymoedd’s Rhondda Campus for their incredible support in hosting the walk, and to the South Wales Police and Rhondda PCSOs who ensured our walkers were kept safe throughout the route. I’d also like to say thanks to the Tonypandy Guides for their support and enthusiasm.”
If you’ve been inspired by the Rhondda Walk, then why not sign up to this year’s Macmillan Llantrisant Walk? The four or eight-mile family and dog friendly walk takes place on Sunday 2 September from Llantrisant Leisure Centre. Registration is new open or call our Supporter Care Team on 0300 1000 200
Macmillan in Wales are looking for volunteers to support the event. If you are interested in Volunteering opportunities at Macmillan, please then visit our Volunteering Village at www.macmillan.org.uk/
