Charlotte Launches Phase Two Campaign

Today, Charlotte Church, long-time patron of The Noah's Ark Appeal, was at the University Hospital of Wales, launching the charity’s brand-new Phase Two campaign.

The star spoke fondly of the charity she has worked with for so long, telling everyone she was “thrilled to be here.”

She spoke animatedly about the work the charity has put in over their seven-year existence, and outlined The Noah's Ark Appeal’s main goals for what she announced would be a £4 million campaign:

“As we all know, it takes more than just bricks and mortar to make a hospital. We must strive to provide the most up-to-date equipment available, and the best environment to use this in. Phase Two will consist of brand-new, state of the art surgical wards, so children needing operations will receive the best care available. As you can all see from where we are today, the old wards are no longer suitable. And it’s not just the building that needs a facelift – it’s of utmost importance that we fund new intensive care equipment, to ensure that very sick children are provided with the best care we can give them.

Another focus of our campaign is going to be a brand-new “open” MRI scanner. This cutting-edge technology will allow a parent to lie with their child during the scan, minimising distress. It will also have colours and music, to make the child’s experience the happiest possible. This scanner alone will cost £1.5 million. It will be the first one of its kind in a UK children’s hospital, and only the second in Europe.”

After making her statement, Charlotte spent time in the UHW playroom, where the press call was held, giving interviews and chatting to the parents of current hospital patients. She was very lively and tactile with the children, and listened attentively as their parents spoke about their experiences in both the University Hospital of Wales and the new Children’s Hospital.

Appeal Chairman Lyn Jones, who introduced Charlotte at today’s launch, said of the new campaign,

“It’s marvellous that The Noah's Ark Appeal has come so far, but we can only keep going from strength to strength if every supporter past and present joins with us to finish what we started. I urge you to get behind this campaign and give your children what they deserve – a hospital that will be among the very best in the United Kingdom.”

Charlotte echoed his sentiments before she left today, urging past and present supporters of the Appeal to “come forward again and join us – The Appeal has come so very far on the support and generosity shown by the people of Wales. Let’s finish what we started.”