Aber Valley Male Voice Choir concert for new Ystrad Mynach breast unit

From left: Bois Goetre-Hen Male Choir's Andrew Gibbs, ABUHB's Emma Wilkins, Aber Valley Male Voice Choir's Paul Newman and Aurelia Jones, and Richard Howells of Bois Goetre-Hen — From left: Bois Goetre-Hen Male Choir’s Andrew Gibbs, ABUHB’s Emma Wilkins, Aber Valley Male Voice Choir’s Paul Newman and Aurelia Jones, and Richard Howells of Bois Goetre-Hen

A male voice choir has donated more than £300 to the new breast care unit, which is set to open in Ystrad Mynach next year.

Aber Valley Male Voice Choir performed a concert at St Helen’s Church in Caerphilly last month, where they sang alongside Maesteg-based Bois Goetre-Hen Male Choir, as well as Serin – a musical trio made up of former-Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni pupils Caitlin Hudson, Rhianna Davies and Joanne Griffiths.

The concert raised £675, with the money split equally between the breast unit and Ty Hafan.

50 years and counting – choir conductor reaches half-century milestone

Alun Thomas, a member of Aber Valley Male Voice Choir, said: “Every year we support different causes. We have members who have lost partners to cancer over the years, so it motivated us to help out.”

A cheque was presented by the choir to Emma Wilkins, who is the fundraising manager for breast services at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Meanwhile, a cheque was also handed to the choir’s accompanist, Aurelia Jones, who accepted it on behalf of Ty Hafan.

Mrs Jones, who has volunteered at the Ty Hafan charity shop in Caerphilly for 11 years, said: “A lot of the children at Ty Hafan are in end of life. The charity provides so many opportunities for them, such as music and sensory rooms.”

The presentation took place at Caerphilly Rugby Club, where the choir practises.

The choir will be performing in Cilfynydd in September, before setting off for a tour of Cyprus later that month.

The breast unit

An idea of what the breast care unit would look like, located in front of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr’s main entrance

The new breast care unit is set to open in August 2023. It will be based in a new hospital building at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, which will be connected to the main hospital by a glass corridor.

Work started on the new building earlier this year.

The new building will have a variety of consultation, examination, ultrasound, radiology, mammogram, treatment and counselling rooms, along with a reception and waiting area, as well as changing rooms and toilets.

There will also be room for offices, staff facilities and a volunteer café.

Eight car parking spaces at the hospital will be lost to accommodate the new building, but 13 additional spaces will be provided, including two electrical charging points.

While the unit is being funded by the Welsh Government, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board set up a fundraising group – The Friends of the ABUHB Breast Unit – to raise £200,000 towards additional services for the unit.

The group has smashed that target – having recently hit the £250,000 mark.

It is hoped the extra funding will go towards creating a more comfortable environment within the unit for patients and families, with custom designed rooms and a centre of excellence.

For more information about the breast care unit or to fundraise for the unit, visit Obv.sr/breastunit

Caerphilly Media

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board/DPPUKltd

Choir concert raises funds for new breast centre and Ty Hafan

Sign-up to our daily newsletter

The breast unit