Jonathan Gives Children's Hospital a Helping Hand

Welsh rugby hero Jonathan Davies has revealed that his joint campaign with The Noah’s Ark Appeal has raised a magnificent £416,000 for vital projects at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Speaking at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Jonathan explained how part of the money raised by his recent sporting efforts would go towards the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit next to the Children’s Hospital for Wales.  The Unit will provide specialist care for teenagers in an environment that has been designed with their specific needs in mind.  The unit will be the first of its kind in Wales and is expected to make a significant difference to the lives of many Welsh teenagers.

“As a father of four, I know that it is every parent’s worst nightmare when your child is taken ill.  I am a proud Welshman and a long time supporter of the Noah’s Ark Appeal, so I’m thrilled to be able to help such a worthy cause,” said the 32 times capped rugby star.

Jonathan, who spearheaded the Noah’s Ark Appeal’s ‘Get Fit, Get Healthy, Get Giving’ campaign, tackled the Great North Run in 2005. His marathon effort inspired many people across Wales to organise their own sporting events to raise money for the campaign.  “It was a huge challenge to run the 13-mile course, but all the hard work was worth it to raise such a wonderful amount for the Children’s Hospital.  It’s very humbling to think how generously the people of Wales have supported me, sending in their donations and sponsoring me online,” said Jonathan.  He added: “I would like to thank them all for their kind support and messages of encouragement.”

Jonathan was joined at the Children’s Hospital by one such group of supporters: pupils from The Cathedral School of Llandaff, Cardiff, who held a mammoth sponsored bike ride in aid of his campaign.  The Cardiff pupils took on the challenge to get fit and get giving by organising a sponsored cycle ride, where pupils of all ages got on their bikes and took to various terrains to pedal their way to a huge total for the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit.

“Jonathan was a great figure to spearhead our campaign and has helped to inspire both children and adults across Wales to support our fundraising whilst looking after their health.” said Lyn Jones, Chairman of Trustees at the Noah’s Ark Appeal.

Not content with tackling the Great North Run, Jonathan’s monstrous total also included donations from his two testimonial dinners where sporting superstars including Sir Steve Redgrave, Ian Botham, Will Greenwood, Keith Wood, Ieuan Evans and Zinzan Brooke joined the Welsh rugby legend.

Rugby charity The Wooden Spoon Society pledged £250,000 in sponsorship of Jonathan’s efforts in the Great North Run; a donation which has been earmarked to fund a very special children’s garden in the final phase of the Children’s Hospital.

For further information, please telephone Roz Robinson, Community Relations Manager on 029 2033 5016.