Eight-year-old Elly Neville, a Year 4 pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School and her Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal has reached an “Extraordinary” new milestone. This week the Appeal, which supports Cancer Patients on Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest has reached an amazing £180,000 raised in just 3½ years.

The Appeal has been busily working away and after initially wanting to raise just £50 and raise the profile in the community for much needed improvements to Cancer Services for in-patients at Withybush Hospital. This achievement is truly staggering given that Elly is only 8 and the relatively short time it has been fundraising. The Appeal has successfully raised the profile of Cancer Services in Pembrokeshire and significant steps have been made to ensure that the best possible Cancer Services are available in Pembrokeshire.

Elly’s Dad, Lyn, has been campaigning for improvements to Cancer Services for many years prior to starting fundraising with Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal. Lyn said, “The new Cancer Day Unit at Withybush Hospital was a huge step forward for Cancer Day Patients and a superb space to work in and be treated in. We wanted the same for Cancer in-patients and have worked hard for many years to get this. In April 2019, after Welsh Government funding, work will start to fully refurbish Ward 10 to have a state-of-the-art Haematology, Oncology and Palliative Care Ward. Elly’s Appeal will help to fund equipment and items over and above the NHS standard equipment.”

Some Welsh Assembly members have openly praised Elly’s Appeal for “making the difference” that ensured funding was granted and putting Cancer Services firmly in the Pembrokeshire public eye.

More importantly the Appeal has already purchased a Sara Steady Enhanced Standing Aid for the Ward at £850 and recently took delivery of a Bladder Scanner for £9,000, a Urine Analysis Machine for £1,000 and two Sofa Beds for the Relatives Room at £2,000 which will enable family to stay near loved ones.

Elly’s Dad Lyn said, “We are totally amazed to have raised over £180,000 and thank everyone who has supported us in any way. It is exciting to purchasing items and equipment is making a “real” difference to Cancer Patients, Staff and Visitors on Ward 10. We would please ask that you continue to support Elly’s Appeal which is making a real difference to Patient Environment and Experience on Ward 10.”

Elly said that she, “was very happy that what she was doing was helping people when they were in hospital.”

Elly and her family are continuing to seek donations via their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ward10Flag and please give the Facebook page a like - search “Ward 10 Flag”.