The Hospital Saturday Fund Cardiff Reception November 2015
On 16th November 2015 Twenty-two mainly Welsh charities received donations from the Hospital Saturday Fund at a special reception kindly hosted at Cardiff University. In total, almost £80,000 was donated to the charities at the event, which was HSF's first charity reception in Wales. Speaking at the reception, Professor Julian Sampson of Cardiff University welcomed the guests to the university’s Glamorgan Building and celebrated the extraordinary work of all the charities receiving donations from the Hospital Saturday Fund. One of the recipients was special guest speaker John Hartson, former professional footballer and founder of The John Hartson Foundation which, following John’s battle with cancer, raises awareness of testicular cancer and provides support to people with cancer and their families. John Hartson expressed thanks on behalf of all the charities receiving grants at the event and spoke movingly about his own cancer journey and the work that his Foundation was doing to support those living with cancer. Among the beneficiaries was Cardiff University which received a grant to help support vital research into new cancer biomarkers of malignancy. The charity Cerebra received a donation to help towards their Innovation Centre which provides research and design into bespoke equipment for children with brain related conditions. Also amongst those receiving grants were the Paul Popham Fund Renal Support Wales whose grant will assist in supporting renal patients. Several hospices received grants including Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice who offer support to those in Wales living with life limited children and their families throughout Wales. Another charity benefiting was Valleys Healing and Life and their grant will purchase a lymphatic drainage machine which will be a huge help to their patients suffering with chronic illnesses. The event was a great success and an opportunity for the charities to share information about their fantastic work and future projects. In 2015 The Hospital Saturday Fund will give £850,000 in donations to medical charities including hospitals and hospices across UK and Ireland.
