Mike and Phil Howell
Members of the Union Rangers U'15's Football Team
Pictured here are Mike and Phil Howell and some of Mike’s Union Rangers Under 15’s Football Team. Mike and Phil completed the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k and the Under 15’s the 3k. They have all been raising money for Ty Olwen in memory Mike and Phil’s Dad, Tony, who passed away there last October. They have reached in excess of £2500 and thank all the people that have sponsored them.
Well done to you all!
Julia with Kevin Johns at the fete opening
Volunteer Co-ordinator Julia Griffiths survived to tell the tale of her sky dive which took place on a glorious day at Swansea Airport last Saturday 22nd September. We look forward to hearing how much money she has raised for Ty Olwen but in the meantime if anybody would like to add to the total, it’s not to late! Donations can still be made directly at the unit or through her just giving page on – http://www.justgiving.com/julia-griffiths
Kevin Johns opening the fete with his usual panache
This years annual fete was held on 18th September 2012 on the grassed area at the front of Ty Olwen. We were lucky to have a glorious day and our team of eager volunteers turned up bright and early on the day and worked hard to set up. We had an abundance of donations of delicious home made cakes, gift sets and bric-a-brac. In addition to our own stalls, we invited traders who were selling a wide variety of goods such as speciality cheese, jams, pickles and bread, gifts, cards and we were also lucky to have designer clothes from ‘Maggie & Me’ which is a London label owned by a very kind local lady who was keen to support us. A Big thank you to Kevin Johns from Swansea Sound opened the fete at 10.30am with his usual good humour and talked of how Ty Olwen looked after his grandmother some years ago and what a wonderful service it provides. We had an excellent turn out, with all of the stallholders constantly busy until rain stopped play at 2.00pm.
We would like to thank everyone who supported the day by baking, donating or simply coming along and spending money and a special thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped make the day a success.
The total raised on the day was a fantastic £1240!
Mr Malcolm Struel – Chairman of the Tŷ Olwen Trust 1986 – 2009
It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Mr. Malcolm Struel on September 18th 2012.
In 1981 Malcolm was persuaded by his friend Mr. Terry Francis to join the Tŷ Olwen Appeal Committee for a year to advise and oversee the setting up of the formal charitable trust. At the end of that year our then Chairman, Mrs. J. T. Morgan, approached Malcolm to become a Trustee, a role he was more than happy to fill. Five years later, when Mrs. Morgan died, Malcolm took over the Chairmanship of the Tŷ Olwen Trust, a position he held until 2009.
Malcolm took up the reigns of office and worked tirelessly for the Tŷ Olwen cause, steering the Trust through some stormy waters, but never losing sight of why we are here – the Patients and their Families. Malcolm was immensely proud of Tŷ Olwen and all that it stands for.
It is thanks to Malcolm’s wisdom, passion, skill, vision, enthusiasm and unstinting care that the Tŷ Olwen Trust is here today continuing to support the service and its team.
Malcolm will be sadly missed by the Tŷ Olwen Trust and the wider Tŷ Olwen family and we send our love and sympathy to his family.
It has been my personal pleasure and privilege to have worked with Malcolm for Tŷ Olwen for over 30 years.
Helen Murray – Chairman Tŷ Olwen Trust
A promise was made by Loughor & District Workingmen’s Club to our President Margaret Bartlett on August Bank Holiday 2011 to continue supporting the work of Ty Olwen and true to there word another fantastic effort has been made by them this year. They handed over a another large cheque at their fundraising night on 24th August to Chairman Helen Murray (unfortunately Margaret was unable to attend) which will be matched by Barclays Bank. With money still coming in the final amount raised has still to be established but we will update you with that as soon as it becomes available. Vice Chairman of the club Ian Murray thanked everybody who had supported the event and helped raise the money. A cheque was presented by Secretary Les Davies. Also pictured are Dawn Beck and Natalie Davies of the Gorseinon Branch of Barclays Bank.
James Webborn
Mumbles born James Webborn along with his friends in the band ‘Midriff’ have raised £287 for Ty Olwen by organising a ‘gig’ at Mozart’s in the Uplands in memory of his Gran Joan Hixson on August 9th. They were grateful that Mozart’s provided the venue free of charge and for all the support they received. Well done guys your efforts are very much appreciated by all associated with Ty Olwen!
Jean Richards with niece Sophie and Ty Olwen Trust President Margaret Bartlett
Mrs Jean Richards writes –
“Michael Power our dear brother was diagnosed with asbestos related cancer (Mesothelioma) in November 2010 which was devastating news to us all. Michael was a very independant man living on his own, always happy and smiling and enjoying life. He was a very caring person who loved helping people in the community and always believed in contributing to many charities.
My husband Peter and I cared for Michael during his illness at our home and he never complained about his illness and was always so positive and brave. We were put in touch with Ty Olwen who would regularly visit our home to administer palliative care and help with anything he needed. This was a great comfort to us to know that they were there at any time for him.
During the early days of his illness he was invited to the Day Centre where he made many friends and would often come home and tell us about his day there whilst praising staff, doctors, nurses and volunteers for their kindness. We found them very supportive not only to Michael but to us as well.
Sadly Michael passed away in March 2011 with dignity and was a great loss to us and everyone who knew him.
I decided with the help of Peter my husband, Sophie our niece and Angela our sister in law to organise a Charity Evening in memory of Michael. The evening was a great success and so we would like to thank Swansea Dockers Club who supplied the venue, the people of Swansea, Neath and Morriston for the lovely gifts they gave for the auction and raffle and Chris Lee and Lorna for the entertainment. Not forgetting everyone who turned up on the night and helped raise the magnificent sum of £1015 which we donate to Ty Olwen as a big thank you for giving Michael such care and making his last months so comfortable.
The support was wonderful! May your good work continue at Ty Olwen with the help of the public to raise much needed funds. Thank you so much.
Delyth Gough, Unit Receptionist and Ty Olwen Trustee explains the work in progress in the Ty Olwen Garden to Margaret Bartlett and Paul Murray
An anonymous donation of £600 has been made to allow the redevelopment of the top of the Ty Olwen garden to begin.The aim is to produce a quiet and secluded area for patients and their families and staff. Fences have been moved and added to and Arthur, Ty Olwen’s volunteer gardener, is leading the team of volunteers including local Salvation Army members to clear the area which had become overgrown. The next phase will be to begin planting and install a solar fountain and lights. Anybody who would like to help with the project or donate surplus plants should contact Delyth at the unit on Tel. No. 01792 703412 in the first instance.
Volunteer Mair, Sister Erica, Volunteer Trish,Volunteer Co-ordinator Julia and UnitReceptionist/Trustee Delyth
A collection at the Aberavon Shopping Centre at Port Talbot took place on Saturday 21st July in aid of Ty Olwen and raised the magnificent sum of £374. A big thank you to all the shoppers who contributed to Ty Olwen and be assured that at least 95p in every pound that you donated will actually end up being used directly on patient care. We are proud to say that all our fundraisers and trustees work on a purely voluntary basis.
Secretary of the Swansea Almoners Committee, Worshipful Brother Phill Morris with Edward and Kate Murray and Ty Olwen Committee Member Dr. Y.B.Mathur
Worshipful Brother Hugh Rees, Treasurer of the Lord Swansea Lodge presenting a cheque for £600
Assistant Provincial Grandmaster with representatives of all the charities
Ty Olwen are grateful for the continued support received from the Swansea Masonic Fraternity. At a recent presentation Worshipful Brother Phill Morris, Secretary of the Swansea Almoners Committee presented a cheque for £500 to Ty Olwen who were represented by Edward and Kate Murray and accompanied by Ty Olwen Committee Member Dr. Y.B. Mathur.
A donation of £600 was made on behalf of the Lord Swansea Lodge by Worshipful Brother Hugh Rees, Lodge Treasurer.
The Assistant Provincial Grand Master made further donations to two other local charities, namely the Scouting Charity – ‘Silver Cross’ Scout Centre and ‘Treat Trust Wales’ who are aiming to provide a state of the art rehabilitaion and therapy centre at Morriston Hospital.
