Five year old Cerys Jeffries, from Cardiff, pictured with play therapists Claire and Polly, and Noah’s Ark Chairman Lyn Jones, gave the Welsh pop star a big thumbs up when she presented the card to Lyn. The card features hand prints from patients at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital on the front, and a handwritten message inside.

Little Cerys is currently receiving treatment on Land Ward at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital.

Everyone at the hospital hopes that Bonnie wins big!

Newsletter issue 30

The charity, is asking people from every corner of Wales to register and hold their own Teddy Bears’ Picnic to raise vital funds for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Noah’s Ark patron Catherine Zeta Jones has really got behind the event; “I am very proud to be supporting the Noah’s Ark Teddy Bears’ Picnic. As a mother, I love spending afternoons doing fun activities with my children; this is a perfect opportunity to have fun with the family whilst raising funds for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.

Funds raised from the Teddy Bears’ Picnic will help make a real difference to the 100,000 vulnerable babies and children in Wales each year that need specialist and often life-saving treatment at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales.”

Getting involved is really easy, register here and you will receive your free picnic pack with lots of ideas and tips for your picnic then simply invite guests and ask them to make a donation in return for your fun-filled picnic. 

Director of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity,Suzanne Mainwaring said; “What better way to spend a hopefully sunny May than having a yummy picnic with friends, children, grand-children or even colleagues? Last year was a great success and we hope to improve on this in 2013!”

Eleven times Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts CBE announces today that he will undertake an extreme triathlon in aid of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity.

Beginning in Holyhead on 22^nd July and finishing five days later at the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff on 26^th July 2013, David will endure a gruelling cycle, swim and run. His aim is to raise awareness and vital funds for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, and the 100,000 vulnerable babies and children each year who need specialist medical care.

David Roberts said; “I truly admire the amazing work the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales does every day to help sick children and their families. The hospital offers the best possible care in a fantastic and friendly environment, and I am proud to play a part in its development”

‘Dave is an inspiration to us all and his extreme challenge for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital charity deserves our full support.  Having run a few fundraising marathons myself I don’t envy him but wish him every success.’

Matthew (Matty) Jones, Former Welsh International Footballer

‘As Captain of Glamorgan Cricket Club, I am delighted to support David Roberts’ Extreme Triathlon and in company with the rest of the Glamorgan Team, I am looking forward to welcoming him at the end of his challenge at the SWALEC Stadium.’

Mark Wallace, Glamorgan C.C. 

‘I think David Roberts’ Extreme Triathlon in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity is a fantastic challenge. I am delighted to show my support for such an inspirational athlete and a great Welsh charity. I wish David the best of luck and hope to catch up with him as the triathlon comes to Cardiff.’

Luke Hamilton, Cardiff Blues Flanker 

‘I think everyone is agreed that the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales does remarkable work in caring for sick children. In order to grow it needs more funds and David Roberts is to be congratulated for undertaking this challenge. He is setting an example that the rest of us can merely marvel at. Well done David and good luck!’

John Walter-Jones, Board Member of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity 

Suzanne Mainwaring, Director of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity said ‘David is so amazing; a true legend in the world of sport and this great athlete is going to put himself through a very tough challenge to help us. We are proud that he is our Charity Champion. This is an opportunity for many people in Wales to join and support David whether fundraising or cheering him on during the challenge. People are invited to visit our website and follow us on social media to find out how to give support, see who’s getting involved and watch as the event develops.’

To donate to David’s amazing challenge please click here or text NOAH98 followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070

We’re doing all we can to get back up and running soon.

Thank you!

The Wales UOTC, who have supported Noah’s Ark for many years now, have taken up the four day challenge and planned every stop with military precision! They’ve made sure to put the “fun” in fundraising, though, and have planned a pub quiz every night of their event to raise further funds.

Their run will come to a grand finish outside Cardiff landmark The Senedd. That night, our brave men will be treated to a Gala dinner in the Copthorne Hotel where they hope to regain all those calories they will have lost.

As well as the well-deserved eating and drinking it is their aim to raise a hefty sum for children in Wales, so why not ensure they do by sponsoring them and cheering them on as they Run the A470!

Hoo-rah!

In 2004, four friends cycled the hundred miles from Cardiff to Tenby. They liked the challenge and had a great time. The next year, a few friends joined them. Then by 2011, 320 friends had joined them! The challenge, billed not as a race but a fun ride, raises money for charity through sponsorship. After a successful pitch, the CARTEN team chose Noah’s Ark as their charity for 2013, and this year a thousand riders are taking on the challenge and raising money to help make little lives better.

The team are hoping to raise an exciting £85,000 towards the  cardio-respiratory suite which will be in Phase Two of  the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital. One of the lead organisers, Peter Palmer, says: “We’re thrilled to be riding again this year. It means more knowing that we’re pedaling a great cause!”

To gear up for the ride, the CARTEN team and Noah’s Ark are hosting a gala dinner on April 27^th, with very special guest, comedian Owen Money, at the Holland House Hotel in central Cardiff. For £45, guests will enjoy a three course meal and live band Whiskey Business, as well as Owen’s comedy talents. Click here to find out more!

To donate to the riders, click here!

Help us go the extra mile so little lives can get better!

Building work on the second phase of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales has hit new heights with contractors completing a St David’s Day themed topping out ceremony.

The highest point of the steel frame for the second phase of the hospital is now in place.

Noah’s Ark Chairman Lyn Jones and Vice-Chairman Eddie Haywood were joined by Jonathan Brickley, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Senior Capital Planning Officer, for the traditional ceremony.

Mr Brickley said: “The highest portions of the steel work are now in place which is an important milestone in delivering the second phase of the children’s hospital. The project is progressing well and when work is completed it will provide first class facilities to build on the excellent care already being provided in Phase One for children across Wales.”

Phase Two of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital development will create state-of-the-art wards, four new operating theatres, a new outpatient department and dental suite, an assessment unit, a new Critical Care Unit, parents’ accommodation and facilities, education and teaching facilities, and a dedicated radiology department with MRI scanner.

The cost of building Phase Two of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital will be met by the Welsh Government with Noah’s Ark raising £8million to equip the hospital when it is expected to open in 2015.

Suzanne Mainwaring, Director of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Everyone at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity is overjoyed to see that the construction of Phase Two of our wonderful children’s hospital is on track.

“We continue to work hard not only to fund vital and life-saving equipment in this next phase but to ensure that we will always be here to support the hospital and the anticipated 100,000 babies and children in Wales who will need specialist medical care each year.”

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM said: “The development of this wonderful hospital is very important to the delivery of first-class and accessible health care for children.”