Co-op staff raise money for hospital
STAFF at two Valleys funeralcare branches have raised £2,000 for the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
Co-op Funeralcare’s branches in Tonypandy and Aberdare organised two fundraising events with all proceeds going to the special baby care unit at the hospital.
It came after a Co-op funeral director’s partner’s grandson was born prematurely last year, but is now doing well thanks to the hospital’s team.
The first of the fundraising events was a “day at the races”, where people paid £5 per ticket to take part in an evening of virtual horse-racing, on July 16.
Co-op Funeralcare also paid for local live band, Lost Freakuency, to play on the day, held at Aberdare Rugby Club.
The second event, on July 23, was a family funday held in Ystradfellte in the Brecon Beacons.
It included classic summer games like sack races, crazy golf, and facepainting.
There was also a barbecue to cater for the 150 people who turned up in support of the Co-op team, with the food and drink, all donated by Co- op Funeralcare, going for £1 an item.
The Aberdare Rugby Club provided the tent and barbecue, while other local busineses got behind the activities by donating raffle prizes, and the events were led and organised by Tyrone Griffiths from the Tonypandy branch and Chris Davies from the Aberdare centre.
Mr Griffiths, principal funeral director, said: “I’ve always enjoyed getting involved with community activities, and this is a cause that’s very close to my heart.
“In December of last year, my partner’s grand- son was born prematurely, and thanks to the brilliant team at the Prince Charles baby unit, he is now nine months old and doing brilliantly, so we wanted to give something back to them.”
Anne Lewis, neonatal sister for the special baby care unit at Prince Charles Hospital, added: “These funds will help us to provide the muchneeded services and support for the babies that come into our care, and their families.
“We can’t believe how many people got involved with the charity days, and we’re truly grateful to all those that came along.”