Members from Undy Athletics Club took another giant stride in their fundraising efforts on Saturday (5th June) as over forty members completed a charity walk in aid of The Noah’s Ark Appeal.

As part of ongoing fundraising events organised this year to raise money for a new ‘open’ MRI scanner at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, the men and women braved the heat as they walked twenty and twelve miles respectively, collecting over £1,300 on the day itself, with additional sponsorship money still to be counted.

The Noah’s Ark Appeal have been asked to raise a further £7m to fund vital projects in phase two of the Children’s Hospital for Wales and this includes the ‘open’ MRI scanner. The hospital will be the first in the UK and only the second in Europe to have such a scanner which costs £1.5m. The scanner has no sides to allow a parent to lie by their child during the scan and has a screen, colours and music to distract the child and minimise distress.

The Appeal is a charity close to the hearts of the fundraisers as friend Olivia Morgan (2), is being treated for Leukaemia at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

The toddler from Undy was diagnosed with the potentially fatal Vein of Galen malformation three days after she was born in December 2007 and underwent emergency brain surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital to correct the problem.

However, earlier this year Olivia was diagnosed with Leukaemia and is undergoing up to six months of chemotherapy at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Dressed as pirates the men walked from the athletics club in Undy to the Boat Inn in Chepstow and back, whilst the ladies walked from Newport train station back to Undy. Along the way they were kindly assisted by the landlord of the Boat Inn, Dylan Price who provided hospitality at the half way point and by Weekes Taxis who transported all of the ladies into Newport to begin their walk.

Organiser Tracey Goodwin said “We have chosen the Noah’s Ark Appeal, not just because it is a fantastic cause but also in recognition of the care and support the Children’s Hospital has provided to our friends Olivia Morgan, her parents Rob and Kate and her brothers Jack (7) and Thomas (5).

“Olivia and her family will have a lot to face over the coming month and the quality of the equipment, care and support needed from the hospital and its’ dedicated staff will do much to determine the outcome.”

The fundraisers, who raised over £5,000 for the Noah’s Ark Appeal between 2005-2006, have already raised funds this year with a sponsored chest wax and fish and chip night plan to go even further with a number of auctions taking place over the summer.