Matthew Rhys has today been announced as a Charity Champion for the Noah’s Ark Appeal. Matthew has been a keen supporter of the Noah’s Ark Appeal since the early days of the campaign to fund phase one of the Children’s Hospital for Wales and is keen to encourage people to get involved and support the latest campaign.

The Noah’s Ark Appeal has been asked to raise a further £7m for vital projects in phase two of the Children’s Hospital for Wales and Matthew spent the afternoon at the Children’s Hospital for Wales visiting patients and surgical wards that this year will be demolished to make way for phase two.

Whilst at the hospital Matthew said “After many years of supporting the Noah’s Ark Appeal I am really looking forward to seeing the results of such a great fundraising campaign that involved so many people from across Wales and beyond. Meeting the patients and staff that work in the Children’s Hospital will definitely be a highlight of my trip back home. I’ll also be seeing the surgical wards that will be demolished this year to make way for phase two of the hospital which is going to be fantastic. Wales is going to be very proud of its Children’s Hospital for Wales which I know does amazing work.

“Of course, the work hasn’t stopped and The Noah's Ark Appeal now needs to raise a further £7m to support the next phase. Equipment such as open MRI scanners and life saving equipment in the new critical care unit doesn’t come cheap and it will only be possible if funds are raised through the Noah’s Ark Appeal. As a Charity Champion I want to urge people to get involved again and make this campaign a success.”

Lyn Jones, Chairman of the Noah’s Ark Appeal said ‘We are delighted that Matthew can find the time to visit the patients at the Children’s Hospital for Wales. I know how much everyone is looking forward to seeing him. Matthew has always been a great ambassador for Wales and what better Welsh campaign for him to be involved with than as our charity champion. We look forward to carrying on working with Matthew over the years to come.’