Newsletter Issue 18 - Noah's Ark Appeal

THE PEOPLE OF WALES
PLEDGE £86,000
On October 16th,
the Noah’s Ark
Appeal joined forces
at South Wales
radio station Red
Dragon FM for the
charity’s first ever
Radiothon – an on-air
event that lasts eighteen
hours, over three days,
broadcasting the story of
the Children’s Hospital
for Wales. The aim was
to allow listeners through
the doors and into the
rooms, and hearts and
minds, of the patients,
parents, and staff inside.
Red Dragon volunteers show off the miracle wall,
a board filled with patients’ wishes.
CHRISTMAS
ISSUE 2008
See the centre pages for more on
this exciting, hugely successful
fundraiser.
The heart-wrenching,
joyous and often laughout-loud
stories told on
air caused the people
of South Wales to call
in in their thousands,
and at the time of this
newsletter going to
press, an awe-inspiring
£86,000 had been
pledged.
Issue 18, Christmas 2008

THE OSMOND FAMILY BOARD THE ARK
specially prepared welcome
speech in Welsh.
A delicious buffet lunch was
served while the Osmonds
chatted to Noah’s Ark Appeal
staff, trustees and friends, and
greeted everyone with a short
speech about co-founding
CMN, and how happy they
were to be working with The
Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Jimmy spoke about his first
impressions of the Children’s
Hospital, saying that he felt
its child-friendly atmosphere
“would really make a
difference.”
The family left after thanking
the Appeal, the luncheon
guests, and Lord Elis-Thomas
for such a warm welcome.
Said Marie: “We always get a
fuzzy feeling when we come
to Wales and today was no
different.”
The family, who are currently
celebrating fifty years in show
business, co-founded the US
charity Children’s Miracle
Network twenty-five years
ago. CMN was designed to
support premier children’s
hospitals in United States
and Canada – to date it has
helped 175. CMN is now
expanding into the UK, and
the Children’s Hospital for
Wales is one of the first UK
hospitals to become a CMN
partner!
The Noah’s Ark Appeal invited
the Osmonds over to see the
Hospital and to surprise some
awe-struck patients!
The atmosphere in the
Children’s Hospital for Wales
foyer was electric as Marie, Jay
and Jimmy Osmond spoke to
the press, staff, patients and
families who had gathered
The Osmonds meet Noah’s Ark Appeak volunteers and staff, left, and right,
cuddle with up with some Children’s Hospital for Wales patients.
THE NOAH’S ARK APPEAL HAS JOINED FORCES WITH
AMERICAN MUSIC LEGENDS THE OSMONDS.
to greet them. Marie spoke
about the Children’s Miracle
Network’s first venture into the
UK, saying: “The fact that we’re
Welsh, and the fact that we’re
starting here, is a big honour
for the family.”
She cuddled up with six year
old Cameron as she spoke
about how dedicated the
Osmond family and CMN are
to the treatment and care of
children as she said, “Look at
this little face – we love kids,
they’re the best. There’s nothing
better you can do as a mother
than to help a baby.”
Marie, who is herself mother
to eight children, was very keen
to stress the importance of a
hospital dedicated to children;
“Everyone will have needed
a children’s hospital at some
point in their lives. My son was
saved in one.”
After the short press
conference in the foyer, Marie,
Jay and Jimmy were invited to
the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for
a special lunch to celebrate
the partnership between The
Noah’s Ark Appeal and CMN.
The Presiding Officer, Lord
Dafydd Elis-Thomas, greeted
the Osmond family as they
arrived, and delivered a
Please see the centre pages for details of the
Cares for Kids Radiothon, the first partnership
event hosted by The Noah’s Ark Appeal and the
Children’s Miracle Network.
Jimmy spoke about his first impressions of the
Children’s Hospital, saying that he felt its child-friendly
atmosphere “would really make a difference.”
The Osmonds are currently celebrating 50 years in show business with a
national tour. Last year, Donny Osmond celebrated his Welsh roots with a
special tour in Merthyr.
2 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 3

FROM THE
DRAGON’S TAIL
TO THE
LIZARD’S NOSE
The summer of 2008 was one of adventure for Adam
Kirkbride and Dylan Burke, who set themselves a bike
riding challenge starting at the Dragon’s tail – Carmarthen
– to the Lizard’s nose – South Cornwall. The trip took
eight days and was 450 miles long, inspired by summer
holidays the boys had enjoyed in Wales and Cornwall.
The sponsored ride was planned to raise funds for three
worthy causes including the Noah’s Ark Appeal. Over
£3000 was raised, £1320 of which was given to the
Appeal.
We hope these seasoned adventurers are now enjoying
a long rest! Thank you to all that sponsored them on their
journey..
Raffles, fashion shows and product
displays replaced the usual colour, cut
and curl goings-on at Blush Salon on
Caerphilly Road in Cardiff in July, as
they held a one night only fundraising
event in aid of the Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Blush salon opened in 2004, and its
achingly hip interior, which includes
hanging neon pink maps, butter-soft
bubblegum pink sofas, and sleek
leather swivel chairs, has attracted
more and more customers every
month. Salon Proprietor, Victoria,
says she wanted to “create awareness of upcoming
hair and fashion trends for current and future clientele,” whilst also
“raising funds for a charity close to my heart.”
A HAIR-RAISING
FUNDRAISER
And so they have – the fundraising evening, titled “Blush Be Beautiful” – which is also the salon’s
motto, beautifully printed on their pink headed paper – raised a gorgeously groomed total of
£1033. The event was a huge success due to the hard work of Blush staff and organizer Tracy
Mahoney, who works for VA Marketing and Events.
Victoria, who presented Lyn with the cheques at the salon, said that Blush would be proud to
continue supporting the Appeal.
Terry Cooper, an
artist and writer
from Pontypridd,
has had his first
novel published,
a humorous and
exciting sci-fi
adventure titled
Kangazang – and
the launch, which
was in aid of the
Appeal, was attended
by Star Wars storm troopers!
Terry sold three limited edition copies of the
book and raised £121, which we’re sure any
Jedi would be proud of.
Kangazang is available from www.amazon.co.uk
CROSS
COUNTRY
CASH
University Hospital staff, Dr Aled
Roberts, Dr Aled Rees, and Dr Sam
Rice, cycled from Ireland’s southernmost
point to the country’s northern most
point, a challenge that took them five
and a half days, and which raised over
£2,500 for the Appeal.
THE
MARATHON
MONKEY
Cardiff University student Oliver
Williams ran the Bath marathon
last year in aid of the Appeal– in a
full monkey suit! A swinging £140
was raised. We bet Oliver had a
great time monkeying around.
4 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 5

HURRAH FOR THE HILTON!
Seasons greetings to
all our supporters and
all the patients at the
Children’s Hospital
for Wales
The 2008 Hilton Ball was a lavish affair again this
year. Guests were treated to a three course meal,
entertainment and a charity auction. The Hilton
Cardiff, which has been a staunch supporter
of the Noah’s Ark Appeal for some years now,
welcomes its new manager, Marie Fagan, who
is looking forward to working closely with the
Appeal. The Ball raised a sparkling £30,000, half of
which will be donated to the Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Chairman Lyn said he was “delighted to have the
Hilton’s support.”
Don’t forget to
click on to:
for our latest
news, events, and
more!
CONTACT US
Telephone: 029 2033 5016
e-mail: enquiries@noahs-ark-appeal.org
website: http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
The Noah’s Ark Appeal
Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Newport Road
Cardiff, CF24 0SZ
Registered charity no: 1069485
CHAMPION
FUNDRAISER ROMPS
HOME FOR THE APPEAL
Vice Chairman of the Noah’s
Ark Appeal, businessman Eddie
Hayward of Chepstow has
many thousands of reasons
to celebrate – in fact 28,500
reasons as that is the sum he
and his family and colleagues
at Chepstow Plant International
have just raised for the children’s
hospital charity.
A massive £28,500 was
raised during a Ladies Day
lunch held at Chepstow
Races during the Ascot week.
The races from Ascot were
beamed in on multiple screens
and the hundreds of guests
enjoyed a flutter at the special
bookmakers opened up just for
the event, before bidding on
some very special auction items.
One item alone: a Welsh shirt
signed by the Grand Slam 2008
team raised over £2000.
Eddie Hayward, Chairman of
Chepstow Plant International
and his family have organised a
Ladies Day lunch each year for
20 years. The 2008 event was
the fourth in aid of the Noah’s
Ark Appeal and brought the
total raised to help sick children
in Wales to over £100,000. This
money has been spent on vital
state-of-the-art ophthalmology
equipment and Mr Patrick
Watts, Consultant Surgeon in
Ophthalmology, based at UHW
was on hand to thank the
Hayward family and the lunch
guests who over the years have
shown remarkable generosity.
On behalf of the family, Eddie
said ‘It gives us all so much
pleasure to be able to help
in this way; our customers
and friends make this event a
wonderful way to raise money
for a cause that is close to all
our hearts. My sisters and I
visited the eye department to
see some of the equipment that
has now been purchased and it
is wonderful. Mr Watts and
his team look after hundreds
of children each year – many
premature babies included. It
is important that they have the
best equipment available.”
6 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 7

RED DRAGON
CARES FOR KIDS
October 16th saw the launch of The Noah’s
Ark Appeal’s first ever Radiothon – a three day
on-air event that would tell the story of the
Children’s Hospital for Wales, aiming to raise
awareness of the hospital’s magnificent work
and to generate funds for Phase Two.
Red Dragon FM, one of South Wales’ largest
radio stations, hosted the Radiothon for us, live
from the foyer of the Children’s Hospital for
Wales.
The DJs, Dan Mills, Matt Lissack, Leigh Jones
and Niall Foster, spoke to parents and patients,
hearing stories of joy and laughter, sadness
and pain, and everything weird, wonderful and
uplifting in between. Donors, patients, families
and DJs were kept busy in the foyer by magic
shows, surprise visitors, and a Dalek attack!
Meanwhile, as the DJs kept the foyer under
control, dodging balloons and hearing patients’
experiences, a team of twenty call centre
operatives took public donations and enquiries
at the Conduit call centre in St Mary’s Street,
Cardiff. The Noah’s Ark Appeal staff were there
to advise, keep up morale, stuff envelopes
– and occasionally they were known to hand
out treats! They were very kindly assisted by
volunteers Ian, Delma, Alex & Jon, and Red
Dragon street team member Kelly.
The heartfelt stories being recounted on air
drove the Welsh public to call in in their droves,
pledging donations and joining up to our regular
giving scheme, the Buddy Club. If you missed
them, the stories included:
Fifteen year old Matthew, who has
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His
parents were worried when he needed an
operation on his spine, but he’s recovering
A patient’s wish from the miracle wall, a board
filled with hopes and dreams
well and looking forward to going out with
his friends again.
Two year old Cameron, who has been
treated many times on Ocean Ward with
infections. Mum Amanda said the staff were
“lovely and accepting” and feels at home in
the Hospital.
Four year old Maggie, who has leukaemia.
Her treatment will end in January next year
and her family are desperately hoping that it
will be successful.
Overall, the feeling generated over the event
were ones of hope, love and gratitude. Every
patient and parent the DJs spoke to were
bowled over by the Children’s Hospital for
Wales – its staff, facilities, and child-friendly
atmosphere.
At the time of this newsletter going to print, a
phenomenal £86,000 had been pledged. The
Noah’s Ark Appeal would like to offer its deep
and sincere thanks to everyone who made the
Radiothon possible, and especially to the families
who opened their hearts to the public and
shared their experiences.
The generosity
started each
day at 6am,
and didn’t end
until the phones
were switched
off at 6pm.
The generosity
started each
day at 6am,
and didn’t end
until the phones
were switched
off at 6pm.
DJ Matt risks life and limb
to ask a Dalek to donate!
8 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 9

GOING FOR A SONG
A musical tribute to Princess Diana has been
released by Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir
for charity - and it’s been given the Royal seal
of approval.
Choir musical director Christine Kelly set the
famous prayer Ave Maria to a piece of music
she wrote last year.
Before recording and releasing it the choir
won endorsement from Prince William and
Harry’s office.
“I wrote to the princes saying we wanted
to release a CD as a Welsh tribute to their
mother and that we wanted to raise money
for their mum’s charities,” said Ms Kelly from
Hook.
“Their office wrote back saying the princes
were touched by my composition and
appreciated us getting in touch with them
first.”
The recording was launched in the Senedd at
a reception hosted by Preseli Pembrokeshire
AM Paul Davies. It was compered by
FUNDRAISING FEST
Since 2003, the Waterloo Fest
Committee have held summer fetes
in Waterloo Gardens, Cardiff, in aid
of charitable causes. This year has
sadly seen the last fete to be run by
the committee, and they decided
that proceeds of £949 would be
donated to the Appeal.
Haverfordwest’s Brian Harries and attended
by broadcaster Roy Noble.
“Releasing this recording is a wonderful way
to remember Princess Diana and I was proud
to be able to help Haverfordwest Male Voice
choir give it the launch it deserved,” said Mr
Davies.
The six-minute long CD costs £3.70
and is available in Tesco stores.
For every copy sold 50p goes to Great
Ormond Street Hospital and 50p goes to the
Noah’s Ark Appeal for the Welsh children’s
hospital.
NOAH’S ART APPEAL
MODELS AT
MARGAM PARK
For the
second
year in a
row, Avatar
photography
held a
charity
photographers and models
photo shoot, this year in aid
of The Noah’s Ark Appeal. The
day, which took place at the
beautifully historic Margam
Park in Neath, raised a posestriking
£400 for the Appeal.
For more information and to
see pictures of all the models
that attended the charity day
at Margam, please visit:
http://www.avatarphotograph
y.co.uk/margam.htm
Published Welsh illustrator Andrea Joseph has
kindly donated two beautiful pieces of artwork to
the Appeal. Andrea’s work, which depicts aspects
of, and love for, Wales and Welsh life, have been
kindly framed by Andrea, and will be displayed in
the wards of the Children’s Hospital for Wales, to
bring a little bit of arty sunshine to the walls.
Andrea hopes to donate more work to the
Appeal in future, and says, “I feel honoured to
be a tiny part of such a great cause.” You can
find out more about Andrea and her work at:
http://andreajoseph24.blogspot.com/
Author Julie, centre, presents her book to Appeal chairman Lyn,
with the help of Illustrator Adrian (right)
DIGBY’S SMELLS
A favourite toy has spurred
Cardiff policewoman Julie
Madoc-Smart to raise money
for prominent Welsh charity
The Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Digby’s Smells, a children’s book
written by Julie, and illustrated
by her colleagues Ally Yates
and Adrian Green, is a fun and
endearing tale about Julie’s
daughter Haf’s toy dog Digby.
The story follows the little dog
as he attempts to preserve all
the smells he’s acquired – Haf’s
nursery, last night’s pizza, the
family car – and escape a trip to
the washing machine!
Julie says the story is close to
her heart and she hopes to find
a publisher for it. Should the
book be released, a percentage
of the proceeds will be donated
to the Noah’s Ark Appeal, which
she chose as she greatly admires
the work at the Children’s
Hospital for Wales.
10 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 11

BUFFALOES RAISE FUNDS
TWO BY TWO
Tireless fundraisers the Ante-Deluvian Order of
Buffaloes set pulses and purses racing last year
when they published a nude calendar in aid of
the Orchid Foundation.
This year their target charity, the Noah’s Ark
Appeal, relates more closely to their name – but
unfortunately didn’t involve animal costumes!
The male-only group is the Tyddewi Lodge
branch of the Buffaloes – an organisation which
has existed for centuries but which, member
and fundraiser John Johnson says, is slowly dying
out. “We’re mostly made up of pensioners and
people on benefits, and although we don’t have a
lot of money, we wanted to make a difference.”
And so they have. Through group collections,
the Tyddewi Order have raised a fantastic
£1300 for The Noah’s Ark Appeal. A social
evening and cheque presentation was held
at St David’s Rugby Club on July 29th, and
champion Pembrokeshire fundraiser Kath Hall
attended. She said of the event, “It’s great that
the Buffaloes have turned their attention to the
Appeal this year. I anticipate a fun evening with
them.”
Shoppers at Marks and Spencer Culverhouse
Cross were looking for a tardis to hide in
on bank holiday Monday last August when a
life-size Dalek had the run of the store!
Robert Saunders, who built the Dalek
himself and uses it to fundraise for charity,
was pleased to have raised over £1200 for
the Appeal.
MAX BOYCE
AND PATIENTS
TUNE INTO FREE
TV, RADIO AND
INTERNET
Legendary Welsh entertainer,
Max Boyce visited patients at the
Children’s Hospital for Wales to
see the brand new Patientline
system has been installed for the
sick children to allow them to
watch TV, listen to the radio, play
games and keep in touch with
friends over the internet – at no
cost to them or their families!
Thanks to the Noah’s Ark Appeal
and Real Radio, the system was
recently installed at a cost of
£150,000 and the running costs
will all be met by Cardiff and
Vale NHS Trust meaning that the
young children don’t miss out
during their stay in hospital.
“For children who are well
enough to leave their beds,
the Children’s Hospital has
wonderful facilities but some
children will be too weak or sick
and we have ensured that they
don’t miss out.” said Lyn Jones,
Chairman of the Noah’s Ark
Appeal,
He continued, “A large
proportion of the money was
raised in partnership with Real
Radio during the Bring a Pound
to Work Day in 2006 where
people across South Wales dug
very deep to show their support
for the bed-ridden patients. “ We
are very grateful to these people
and of course Real Radio for
their wonderful work. We would
also like to thank the Wallace &
Gromit Children’s Foundation
who gave a £10,000 donation to
the installation cost.
Photos: Tony and Angela from Real
Radio celebrate the new bedside
technology with some excited
patients
12 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 13

FABULOUS FIRSTPLUS FINANCIAL
Director Neil Radley and Firstplus staff
members proudly present their funds to
Jasmine from the Appeal.
The Noah’s Ark Appeal
would like to offer a
heartfelt thank you to all the
staff at FirstPlus Financial,
who have fundraised for us
since the beginning of 2008.
The staff made fantastic
and tireless efforts for the
Appeal, volunteering in our
shop, organizing raffles and
much more besides!
In total, £49,600 has been
raised, and everyone at the
Appeal was delighted with
the incredible donation.
We would like to thank
everyone at FirstPlus for
their hard work in aid of
our charity. We’re honoured
to count them among our
supporters.
SENSATIONAL
SKYDIVERS!
TEN CASTLES CHALLENGE
CALLING ALL
CARTRIDGES!
Lower the drawbridge and let in the new
Lords and Ladies – Kevin Waite and the
Riverglade Fundraising group, who this year
completed the Ten Castles Challenge in aid
of the Noah’s Ark Appeal!
The pursuits included a sixty kilometre bike
ride and a twenty kilometre river paddle
– kingly tasks indeed! The team completed
everything set to them in a truly royal ten
hours, and raised a crowning £800. Kevin
says “We aim to do it all again next year!”
Everyone at the Appeal wishes them the
best of luck.
A soaring sea of applause to nurses working on
the Children’s Hospital for Wales’ Ocean Ward
– over £5000 was raised in sponsorship for
their group skydive! Stella Young, Hannah Davies,
Kayleigh Bell, Alex King, Sue Melish, Rachel Lake,
Donna Bird and Nicki Davies fundraised tireless
for months, doing everything they could to
raise money, including raffles, auction nights, and
dressing up as Noah’s Ark animals on the town!
MANY GOLDEN RETURNS!
A very Golden wedding anniversary to Mr
and Mrs John and Olive Williams of Burry
Port, who asked for donations to the Appeal
in lieu of gifts. In total a bell-tolling £510
was raised. Emily, the happy couple’s granddaughter,
is currently an out-patient at the
Children’s Hospital for Wales.
The Appeal are thrilled with the nurses’ sky-high
total. Hannah says, “We hope the Appeal are
pleased with what we’ve raised – we had loads
of fun along the way. It’s the best thing we’ve
ever done!”
MAKING TRACKS
It was all aboard
for the Children’s
Hospital for Wales
this month when
Arriva Trains Wales
donated bags of toys,
books and games that
had been accidentally
abandoned on trains
all over Wales. Below, Liam, son of Arriva staff
member Nicola, helps celebrate the booty’s
arrival!
Collect all those empty cartridges you have lying
around – because the Appeal can exchanged
them for cash! We have a scheme set up with
the lovely people at Redeem who are ready and
waiting to accept your donations. So please have
a hunt around for all those empty vessels and
help the children of Wales, without spending a
penny!
Appealing to your Inbox!
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Then our e-newsletter is for you! All the
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button, with the added benefit of saving
paper in the process!
Please call the office or e-mail
enquiries@noahs-ark-appeal.org to sign up.
14 Issue 18, Christmas 2008
Issue 18, Christmas 2008 15

Give Welsh children the gift of
world-class care this Christmas,
become a friend of the Appeal
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING FORM AND RETURN IT TO US AT:
The Noah’s Ark Appeal Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0SZ
To The
Manager:
Address:
Bank
ACCOUNT TO BE DEBITED
Account
Number
Sort Code
Post
Code
Please Pay Noah’s Ark Appeal, Account Number 92071940 40-16-15
The sum of: £
And thereafter every
(Please tick) Day
Date of First Payment
Week Month Year
Until
(date)
OR Until further
notice in writing
Name &
Address:
Post
Code
Signature
Date
Thank you for supporting the Noah’s Ark Appeal