Ty Olwen

Hello everyone,

The weather was kind so I managed to jump on the morning of Saturday 12 November from 12,000 ft, it was the best day ever. Thanks Lauren, for my chat with Steve Strange on Saturday morning. It was the best thing I have ever done and the most amazing experience. Wow, I want to do it all again. The initial jump out of the plane, a freefall to 6000ft was my highlight. Whoop!

A big thanks to Sara and the guys who looked after us at Skydive Swansea and Paul who jumped with me.. what a diamond.

Thank you all so much for all your generous donations.

I am raising funds for Ty Olwen trust, who gave my sister, Janet, the best care.

Janet  passed away on 12 June 2011 after a 13 month battle with throat cancer. I originally booked a sky dive for 22.10.11 which would have been her 60th birthday and I was gutted that due to the high winds on Saturday that it has it has been postponed until 12 November.  I will keep you all posted.

I would like to thank Helen and Joyce who waited so patiently in support on Saturday and for raising a glass to Jan in the Queens.

I would also like to thank all of you who have donated so very generously so far and the amazing support from family and friends that I have recieved.

A massive thanks and big love to Jordan, my nephew who made the most amazing skydive in Dubai last Thursday and for the support he has given me in doing this.

Please could you help by donating a bit of your hard earned cash. I will update the page with photos after the event.

Everyone is amazed at the efforts made by people like Tracey in supporting the work of Ty Olwen and are extremely grateful. The total currently stands at £1165 and is still rising. It’s not to late to donate! Find Tracey’s page on Just Giving.

Lunacy Boutique in Port Talbot have raised £850 for Ty Olwen as a result of their Filmology Fashion Show, including £200 from Tata Steel. A similar donation went to Ovacome the Ovarian Cancer Charity. The show was in four sections inspired by the films Boogie Nights, Four Weddings and a funeral, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Kill Bill. Lunacy is a local shop in Port Talbot, why not check out their website – www.lunacyboutique.co.uk ? All at Ty Olwen are grateful for their generous  support.

Roger Beynon who lives in Swansea is travelling to India in January next year to take part in the Enduro India Adventure Ride. He will be riding a Royal Enfield 350 (motorbike) 2000Km across India from Goa to Gochin in 12 days and hopes to raise money fro three charities. An Indian children’s charity, “Touch” a charity to help children with communication difficulties and “Ty Olwen”. He is asking that any  individual or group who would like to support him should send a cheque to the charity of their choice and mentioning his name and why you are supporting him.  Further information can be obtained from Roger at rogerbeynon@hotmail.com

From l to r - Keith Davies, Men's Captain; Sister Gwyneth Poacher, Sandville Support Group; Mrs Beverley Heatman, Ladies Captain and Mrs Helen Murray, Ty Olwen.

At the 15th Annual Presentation Evening at the Grove Golf Club, Porthcawl donation cheques for £2000 each were presented to the Sandville Support Group in Kenfig and Ty Olwen. The money was raised by a series of fund raising events organised by the Captains of the Golf Club during their year of office. Mens captain Keith Davies also thanked the Ancient Briton Public House who had contributed the proceeds of a month’s Charity Quiz Nights to the fund. Both charities expressed their gratitude to the members for supporting two excellent local charities where the money stays in the area and benefits local people. Keith Davies made the donation to his chosen charity, Sandville and Mrs Beverley Heatman, Ladies Captain to Ty Olwen her choice.

This will take place on Wednesday December 14^th at 7pm in St. David’s Church, Morriston. There is an invitation to anyone who may have lost a loved one or a friend to join us at the service during which there will be an opportunity to remember them.

May I through this web-site thank those who elected me as Chairman of the Trust at the Annual General Meeting.  I am acutely aware that I am following in some very special footsteps – Mrs. J.T. Morgan, Mr. Malcolm Struel and Dr. Peter Griffiths, all of whom brought their wisdom, patience, compassion and loyalty to the role.  I can only pledge to try to emulate them and do all that I can to ensure that the Ty Olwen Trust goes from strength to strength to meet whatever challenges lay ahead.                                                      I wish to publically record the Trust’s thanks to everyone who has contributed to Ty Olwen during the past year.  No matter what size the donation, large or small, they are equally important to us and we are constantly reminded of your incredible generosity to the service.                                                                                                                                          On behalf of the Ty Olwen Trust can I wish all of you a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Healthy New Year.

Helen Murray                                                                                                                                  Chairman

This took place on Wednesday 22^nd November in Ty Olwen.  The meeting was attended by Trustees, members of staff, representatives of the Health Board and supporters of Ty Olwen.

During the meeting the Trust’s accounts were adopted and whilst appearing to show a healthy balance, it should be remembered that, this money is already committed to Ty Olwen for the next two years funding.  We now look to further fundraising to allow this commitment to continue for three and four years ahead.

The meeting received the report of the Ty Olwen Trustees and Dr. Idris Baker’s report on behalf of Ty Olwen.

The meeting was also an opportunity to record thanks to all those who have supported the work of the Ty Olwen Trust during the year and to the wonderful staff of the service for all their love and care to our patients and their families.                                                              The Officers of the Trust for the ensuing year were elected under the watchful eye of the President Mrs. Margaret Bartlett and were as follows, Chairman – Mrs. Helen Murray, Vice-Chairman – Mr. Paul Murray, Treasurer – Mr Gareth Lewis, Assistant Treasurer – Mr. Gwyn Powell, Secretary – Mrs. Tracy Hancock.

Ty Olwen Day Centre – Tuesday 29th November 2011

10-30am – 2-30pm

Hats, Gloves and Scarves

Floral Arrangements – Cakes – Nightwear – Jewellery

Delicatessen – Professional Gift Wrapping Company

All welcome.

The Annual General Meeting of the Ty Olwen Trust takes place on Tuesday 22nd November at 6pm at Ty Olwen, Morriston Hospital. This is a public meeting and all are welcome to attend.

l-r: Eileen Lewis, Volunteer; Julia Griffiths, Volunteer Co-ordinator; Val Richards; Dr. Idris Baker, Lead Consultant at Ty Olwen; Delyth Gough, Receptionist; Irene Baron, Ward Hostess, gathered at Val's surprise party.

Ty Olwen recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and now one of its volunteers is following suit.
Since November 1981, Val Richards from Trebanos has spent Monday mornings serving drinks and snacks at the tea bar in Ty Olwen, Morriston Hospital, to relatives and visitors. To celebrate her achievement, staff and volunteers organised a surprise party for Val in the day centre.
86 year old Val said:
“I have loved every minute of the past 30 years. I enjoy meeting the people who visit Ty Olwen, and volunteering with some lovely people. The staff are also wonderful.”

Julia Griffiths, Volunteer Co-ordinator, added: “Being a volunteer for 30 years is an amazing achievement. Val is a lovely, kind hearted person. The tea bar acts as a haven for relatives to spend time away from the bedside. It provides them not only with respite, but also someone to talk to.
“Often relatives are more comfortable talking to the volunteers. They feel that they have all the time in the world to listen, and they are able to share their worries and cry if they need to. The volunteers provide an additional form of support.”

Dr Idris Baker, Lead Consultant at Ty Olwen, commented: “In 1981, there was a political crisis in Europe, the Swans were playing in the top flight and Val was working at Ty Olwen. In 2011, nothing has changed! I have lost count of the number of cups of tea and fruitcakes I have had from this wonderful woman. Here’s to another 30 years Val!”