HOW SCHOOLGIRL ELLY HAS RAISED THOUSANDS FOR THE NHS
Elly Neville, 8, has raised £160k for improvements at her local hospital, and has encouraged Health Secretary Vaughan Gething to follow her shining example
IT all started with a little girl making a collage of a flag for her school Eisteddfod. Now that little girl, with her flag, has raised just short of £160,000 for her local hospital.
Elly Neville, originally from Pembroke Dock, wanted to raise £500 for her local cancer ward at Withybush Hospital, in Haverfordwest, but her efforts have gone above and beyond.
Her father, Lyn, was treated for a rare type of blood cancer at Ward 10 of the hospital in 2005.
“When I had my bone marrow treatment, we were told as part of that we couldn’t have any more children because the chemotherapy was so intensive.
“Four years later, there was Elly. “She’s a miracle,” said Lyn, also dad to Rhys.
In 2015 schoolgirl Elly won first place and £20 at her school’s St David’s Day competition with her flag.
Standing proudly holding it in a picture, wearing her traditional Welsh outfit, Elly told her teachers at Pembroke Dock Community School she wanted to use that money to raise more.
The family decided to raffle it in a bid to raise £500.
“First of all we planned to raise awareness for the work they were doing, and how they needed support and then we started fundraising.
“She just wanted to give something back,” said Lyn.
The amount rose and rose, and the little girl has made a huge difference to people with cancer in her local area – and the staff who helped her dad.
They wanted to refurbish and upgrade Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital, making it once again a dedicated cancer ward.
“When Elly first met the chief executive of Hywel Dda she told him she wanted the money she had raised to buy plumpy cushions and fluffy blankets”
Having seen first hand the problems, they knew what their money could do.
When they made their first donation, they agreed with the health board they would get a say in how the money was spent.
Staff explained while they are funded to a certain level for items, donations can be spent to upgrade them.
The health board will also focus on essential items, but there are extras that can make a huge difference.
In 2016 money from the appeal paid for its first piece of equipment.
It was chosen by ward sister Helen Johns as an important piece of equipment that will help patients and staff.
And it’s continued to make a difference.
For example, every patient gets a commode next to their bed, if they are unable to get to the toilet.
But nurses knew patients preferred the privacy of a toilet, and part of the money was spent on a piece of equipment to assist patients in getting up.
“With that, it’s not just about providing a commode, it’s about provid- ing dignity,” he said.
Ward 10 itself was in desperate need of refurbishment.
Four years ago, Elly’s Auntie Chris died from cancer and Lyn saw once again that the ward wasn’t doing what it needed to for patients.
“My sister sadly passed away on Ward 10, it’s a bit like stepping backwards.
“It’s not conducive to helping people recover.
“It’s the oldest part of the hospital and the only remaining bit that has single-glazed windows.”
Her campaign shone a spotlight
on the hospital and has been credited with putting pressure on the Welsh Government to deliver its own multi-million-pound refurbishment project for the hospital.
In December 2015, Elly was at the hospital to meet then-health minister Mark Drakeford when the University Health Board agreed to provide improved facilities for cancer patients at Withybush Hospital and to upgrade facilities for cancer patients.
Elly’s mum, Ann, said at the time that commitment to expand and refurbish the day unit and Ward 10 was a “cause very close to our heart”.
Lyn said the new improvements made a huge difference.
“If you go to the chemotherapy day unit now, it’s fab because there’s loads of space.
“When I was having my treatment, everyone was on top of each other. Now, it’s really spacious”.
By that time – July 2016 – the money raised for the Ward 10 development had risen to more than £330,000 raised by the University Health Board’s Pembrokeshire Cancer Services Funds and Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal.
The health board then needed to take a business case to the Welsh Government for the rest of the funding required for the development.
Then, just last month, Health Secretary Vaughan Gething announced that £3m funding will be provided to modernise haematology, oncology and palliative care services at the hospital.
The money will modernise Ward 10 and see new beds in a “superior ward environment”, a discharge lounge and overnight facilities for relatives. Mr Gething said it will provide “a modern, fit-for-purpose environment for staff, patients and their families”.
The former Ward 9 area will also be developed and will take over as the cancer ward while Ward 10 closes for its refurbishment.
In his statement, Mr Gething credited both Pembrokeshire Cancer Services Fund and Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal for their work.
“It was a pleasure to meet with staff and the Neville family today. Elly’s fundraising efforts have been truly inspirational and the new facility will be a tribute to her hard work and dedication,” he said.
Hywel Dda University Health Board chairman, Bernardine Rees OBE, echoed that, singling out Elly for her work, as did her local AM.
To celebrate, Elly and her family were this week invited to the Senedd by their AM, Simon Thomas.
Elly said she was proud of what she had done and had enjoyed her trip to the Senedd – especially being treated by Assembly catering staff to a special bowl of ice cream at lunchtime.
She met a series of AMs, and got to watch part of the plenary proceedings and hear Mr Thomas speak about her to the First Minister, and be thanked by Carwyn Jones.
Mr Jones said: “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Elly before, and it’s wonderful to welcome her back to this building.
“She’s done a fantastic job in raising so much money, and it’s great to know that she’s here”.
Despite all the people she’s met, all the thank-you letters and money raised, none of it has fazed Elly, according to Lyn.
“When she met Vaughan Gething a few years ago in Withybush Hospital, we had to wait a while as he was late.
“We were sat playing eye spy and as he came through the doors, she jumped up and put her hand out to shake his hand.
“She shook it and he told her, ‘I’m Vaughan Gething,’ and she replied, ‘I’m Elly, and you’re late’.
“There was a big intake of breath and he just laughed and found it hysterical.
“Anyone else would be nervous about meeting AMs or politicians but she’s just taken it in her stride.
“She was always going to be the face of the campaign,” said Lyn.
“Without her we would never have raised even a third of what we have.”
But it’s been a lot of hard work for the family.
“Mum does the driving and Dad does the admin,” says Lyn.
“We always told her while she enjoyed it we would do it, but when it got to be a chore or she didn’t like it we’d stop, but she’s just got so into it now and loves doing it”.
They know that now the hospital has millions of pounds of investment coming their fundraising will wind down – but they are as passionate as ever about making sure their local services are good enough.
“She’s had a lot of support and lots of messages that have really helped her.
“It’s been a community effort and all to make Pembrokeshire cancer services better.”
Elly’s Facebook page has 3,500 followers, “not bad for an eight-yearold” her dad laughs. And there are hundreds of updates of donations, from local pubs, clubs and huge businesses.
Almost every donor calls Elly an “inspiration” or “unstoppable”.
People have run half-marathons, entered raffles. Staff at her school did a bungee jump.
Her story has spread far and wide, and she’s even received a letter from the Dalai Lama.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting that,” laughed Lyn.
Elly has continued to share her journey with her schoolfriends.
Her head teacher, Michele Thomas, said Elly had inspired her classmates. “Elly has been an inspiration to us all. Through sharing her fundraising journey with us, she has influenced other children to fundraise for their own good causes.
“These are all primary school-age children and are planning how they can help others.
“Elly has stood up in Assembly to tell us what she has done and provided for Withybush and that has inspired the other children. They have done it all off their own bat.
“We’re really proud of her achievements and how she’s met so many Assembly Members, politicians, mayors and dignitaries and even been awarded a British Citizen Youth Medal at the House of Lords.
“She’s a remarkable eight-year-old and thoroughly deserves the opportunity to go to the Senedd and enjoy a special day.
“The amount of money Elly has raised will make a substantial difference to Withybush Hospital and it has such a place in the community in Pembrokeshire.”
Elly has been an inspiration. Through sharing her fundraising journey with us, she has influenced other children to fundraise for their own good causes.
ELLY’S HEADTEACHER MICHELE THOMAS