Llantrisant Walk for Macmillan

The Pontyclun and District Macmillan Fundraising Group is aware of the heart-breaking challenges that face people who are coping with a cancer diagnosis. It’s not just the disease itself it’s the effect it has on one’s family, on one’s job and often the ability to simply pay the bills. It’s no wonder so many people talk about losing control.

Our group has become aware of the many ways in which Macmillan is able to help — by providing a Macmillan Nurse; giving up-to-date free information; offering help to claim benefits; or when appropriate by picking up the bill for extra heating or the cost of travelling to and from hospital appointments. These things and so much more would not be possible without the fundraisers, supporters and partners of Macmillan.

Currently all the fundraising we are doing as a group is going towards the building of The Y Bwthyn NGS Macmillan Unit that is being built in the grounds of The Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Macmillan together with the National Garden Scheme is providing £5 million of the £7+m that is needed for this 8 bedded specialist palliative care unit. It will replace the existing Y Bwthyn that is in Pontypridd, Although the existing unit has an excellent reputation the building is over 100 years old and is no longer fit for purpose. The majority of the excellent staff will transfer to the new unit that is being purpose built by a team that understands the needs of people with cancer and their families and carers.

Each room will have facilities for relatives to stay and have patio doors that will lead to a private outside space into which the patient’s bed may be wheeled. There will also be facilities for day care, outpatient appointments and complimentary therapies. Should any patient require general medical services then the facilities of The Royal Glamorgan Hospital will be close at hand. The whole theme of the building will be to ‘bring the outside in’ and artists have been commissioned to make the building calming but uplifting. The plan is to open the unit in the late Spring/early summer of 2019 and it will be Macmillan’s biggest single investment in Wales.

During the few years in which our group has existed we have, thanks to the amazing generosity of our local community raised in excess of £125k for Macmillan Cancer Support. We are stepping up our fundraising efforts to support Y Bwthyn and you can help by joining us on Sunday 2nd September for the Llantrisant Walk.

Register or you can sign up on the day from 9am. This year there are 2 routes on offer! A shorter 4 mile walk and the usual 8-mile walk, both starting and finishing at Llantrisant Leisure Centre. Our aim is to make this walk all inclusive, suitable for new and experienced walkers and so the route chosen is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs, children and even the dog!

The walk starts from the Leisure Centre at 11am for the 8 mile route and 11.30 for the 4 mile route. As always, we will entertain you before, during, and after the walk and a bouncy castle, music and light refreshments will be part of the after-walk party starting at 1pm.

Registration is just £10 and with that comes a t-shirt, goodie bag, and medal. Under 12’s walk free when walking with a family and will get a goodie bag and a medal. All are invited to the after-walk party. Teams are also a great way to walk — give your team a name and raise as much sponsorship as you can by setting up a Just Giving Page or simply asking family and friends to support your efforts.

Click here to sign up and help us build Y Bwthyn.