£6k raised in memory of Rhodri

FUNDS raised in memory of former First Minister Rhodri Morgan are being donated to causes including a charity aiming to make birth safer in subSaharan Africa.

Mr Morgan, who was fondly described as “the Father of Wales”, died in May after he collapsed while cycling near his home.

Tributes were paid across the country, with many describing the 77-yearold as the most popular politician of his generation.

And now more than £6,000 has been raised in his honour, which will be donated to Welsh charities.

Mr Morgan’s widow, AM for Cardiff North Julie Morgan said the money will go to schemes including homelessness charity Llamau and Life for African Mothers.

Cardiff-based Life for African Mothers had previously been unable to ship much-needed medicine which helps stop bleeding after childbirth.

Following funding from the Rhodri Morgan memorial fund, 144,000 tablets were sent from the UK on Wednesday to benefit 50,000 women in SubSaharan Africa.

The JustGiving fund set up in Mr Morgan’s memory quickly overtook its original target of £5,000 and now stands at a £6,383 with the total still rising.

Mrs Morgan said: “It is wonderful that so many people have donated so generously. We wanted to put the money to good use and asked for donations instead of flowers.”

Speaking of Life for African Mothers, she added: “Rhodri was a strong supporter of the charity and had a great interest in Africa. The money has enabled them to send a shipment of medicine right now which was waiting to go but they didn’t have enough money to send it.”

Mrs Morgan said money for Llamau should go the “Safe Project” to offer shelter to women with drug and alcohol problems in Cardiff West.

Other beneficiaries of the Rhodri Morgan Memorial Fund include Ely Garden Villagers community group, Cardiff Samaritans and charity Making Music Changing Lives to fund instruments.

Mrs Morgan said her family deliberately chose small charities based in her husband’s constituency of Cardiff West.

The family said they have been “stunned” by people’s generosity, with messages and support from all over the world

Having served as MP for Cardiff West from 1987, Mr Morgan became AM for the same constituency in 1999. He went on to become leader of Welsh Labour and First Minister in 2000 and held the position until 2009.