Man walks more than 1,000 miles to raise £3k for breast care unit

A Hengoed man has raised more than £3,000 for the new breast care unit at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, Ystrad Mynach.

Maldwyn Griffiths, 71, has walked more than 1,000 miles since July, as part of the End-to-End challenge.

Replicating the total distance of the Wales Coast Path, plus an extra 130 miles for good measure, Maldwyn averaged 15 miles a day.

His efforts are inspired by the fact his wife, Janette, is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer, Maldwyn said: “A friend of ours sadly passed away at the start of the pandemic.

“She was going through cancer treatment with Janette and I thought about doing something then.

“I saw this virtual challenge to walk the Wales Coast Path and I thought it would be a good way of fundraising.

“Initially I thought if I could raise £500 it would be great, so to raise over £3,000 is brilliant.”

The majority of Maldwyn’s milage was conducted in Caerphilly County Borough when lockdown restrictions didn’t allow travel outside local authority boundaries.

However, the final 200 miles were completed on the Wales Coast Path, where he walked with Janette to complete the total mileage.

The new breast care centre will concentrate all of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s (ABUHB) breast cancer services in one place in Ystrad Mynach.

Plans for the centre were approved by the council in September and it is hoped the service will be up and running by the end of 2021.

Fundraising efforts have been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with many community based activities cancelled and postponed.

Emma Wilkins, fundraising manager for breast services at ABUHB, said: “As a small local NHS charity we are blown away by Mal’s efforts and people’s generosity.

“Our voluntary group relies entirely on the support of local people with every penny raised going to improve the patient experience in our new unit.

“Getting to know Mal has been a pleasure – his drive and enthusiasm are truly inspirational.

“The fundraising means so much to him personally after supporting close family and friends affected and it’s been wonderful that he has received so much support for helping to raise funds for the Breast Care Unit that will benefit so many more patients and families.”

Maldwyn’s donation page remains open until the end of January.

Anyone interested in fundraising for the breast centre can contact fundraising manager Emma Wilkins on Emma.wilkins5@wales.nhs.uk.