Tŷ Hafan smash fundraising appeal which will benefit Sully hospice

Tŷ Hafan’s 'When Your World Stops' fundraising appeal netted £342,922 in just 60 hours, smashing its appeal target of £250,000. 

Christmas has come early for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice. 

Maria Timon Samra, chief executive of Tŷ Hafan, couldn't believe the target was smashed by more than £80,000

“We are so grateful to everyone who has supported Tŷ Hafan with these fundraisers," she said. 

“Times are very difficult for so many people these days and the kindness, generosity and goodwill shown to Tŷ Hafan and the children and families we support has been absolutely overwhelming." 

Funds raised by both events will go towards the £5.2 million it costs he organisation every year to provide care and support for children with life-shortening conditions and their families in Wales, both at the hospice in Sully, and in homes and communities across the country. 

The intensive match-funded fundraising campaign, which ran from 10am Sunday, November 27, to 10pm on Tuesday, November 29, was a first for the 23-year-old charity. 

The campaign was fronted by Cefn Hengoed family Catherine and Andrew Jeans and their nine-year-old son Oliver.

Oliver’s beloved little sister Rose was diagnosed with an incurable cancer and died at Tŷ Hafan’s hospice in Sully on 13 February 2020, just two days after her first birthday. 

Mr Jeans said his family could not believe the generosity of people.

“The work that Tŷ Hafan does - you really can’t explain it - how they are able to support so many families like ourselves. So, when we were asked if we would like to be the face the #WhenYourWorldStops campaign and to use our story, for us, it was a no-brainer.

"As difficult as it was talk about these things and to bring these things back up, we knew that it would have an impact on the hospice. 

“And to raise the funds that we did for that campaign just blew us out of the water. It was amazing. 

“It has blown us away the amount of money that was raised - £340,000 in three days is just exceptional.” 

Ty Hafan held a magical Christmas concert this year (Image: Newsquest)

Watch highlights of the concert below.