What is the Noah’s Ark Appeal raising money for now?

We estimate that we will need to raise at least £7m although we expect this to rise in time. The main things that we are aiming to provide are:

An ‘open’ MRI scanner. This has no sides and a parent can lie by their child during the scan. It will have a screen, colours and music to distract the child and minimise distress. Our hospital will be the first in the UK to have such a scanner and only the second in Europe. This alone will cost £1.5m

We will replace the equipment in the new critical care unit that will combine intensive and high dependency care. This specialist equipment is expensive but it is vital that this crucial unit has the most advanced technology available.

A hydrotherapy pool. Currently there is no paediatric hydrotherapy pool available for patients of phase one of the Children’s Hospital or those awaiting surgery. Only one hour per week is available in the adult pool meaning many children in great need of this resource have to go without.

An enclosed garden. With the help from our friends at Wooden Spoon, the Children's Hospital for Wales will have an enclosed garden that will be a safe haven for patients and their families. Over the coming months, lots of planning will be taking place to establish whether the garden is for rest, leisure, education, sport or just plain fun! Whatever is decided, it will be a colourful space to look out on when feeling a bit down in the dumps or to get a lovely breath of fresh air. We can't wait to see what it finally looks like.

The Core

5 New Operating Theatres. Three general paediatric surgery, one emergancy and one dental.

A new Clinical Assessment Unit and Clinical Investigations Unit

A large Outpatients Department incorporating the dental suite and a hydrotherapy pool

Inpatient beds and a 14 bedded day unit