A SCHOOLS’ fundraising day for a specialist cancer hospital proved a memorable occasion for a teenager whose father was treated there, and has raised over £2,300.
Darcey Roberts-Waite, a 13-year-old pupil at Monmouth School for Girls, has seen at first hand the work carried out by staff at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, after her dad Mark was diagnosed with cancer.
She was just six when her father fell ill, but thanks to Velindre’s care and treatment he has recently received the five-year all-clear from the disease.
Darcey is the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools’ Velindre Young Ambassador and was delighted to see pupils and staff throw their full support behind the campaign with a fundraising day on Friday, February 2.
She said: “Cancer is a dreadful disease but having seen the remarkable work by staff at Velindre, I wanted to get involved to help to promote the campaign.
“Supporting the work of Velindre is not only something close to my own heart, but for generations of other families across Wales who have been touched by cancer.
“It was lovely to see everybody wearing red and getting involved across Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools. It was a fun event for a fantastic cause.”
Pupils and staff at the five Haberdashers’ schools all made donations to wear red to school, while some sold home-baked cakes and others bought promotional mugs and wristbands to raise funds.
Former Monmouth School for Boys head boy, Wales rugby international Hallam Amos, backed the Wear Red for Velindre and Wales campaign.
Monmouth School Girls’ Prep hosted a hugely impressive Victorian Fair for pupils, which included ice-skating, a snow machine, a candy floss stall, face painting and traditional games, in the playground.
Seven-year-old Matilda Snell told the fortunes of her friends for 50p, while students made a donation to throw wet sponges at good-natured teachers at Monmouth School for Boys, where sporty pupils also took part in a 30-second challenge to pass a rugby ball through a hole in a board resembling the mouth of ex-England hooker Brian Moore.
The Pre-Prep and Nursery also organised a photography competition, as part of the fundraiser.
Velindre fundraising chief Andrew Morris said: “We were absolutely delighted with the amazing response to Wear Red for Wales and Velindre. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part.”