Fundraisers make thousands of pounds to help African youngsters with malnutrition
A dynamic duo have raised thousands of pounds to help save the lives of children with malnutrition in Africa.
Community sister Claire Chubb and healthcare support worker Sharon Taylor, part of the Bonymaen Acute Clinical Team, began fund-raising after learning of the work of colleague Dr Mikey Bryant.
Dr Bryant spends months of the year at the ELWA hospital paediatric department in Liberia's capital Monrovia, which he established to treat children and babies suffering from malnutrition.
Over the years it has saved the lives of hundreds of youngsters, but the facility is always looking for extra funding to enable it to continue its work.
So Sharon and Claire decided to roll up their sleeves and organise a series of fund raising events over the past few months, eventually collecting a total of £7,566 which will fund the hospital's work into 2025.
Sharon said: "We often hear Mikey talking about the babies he works with in Liberia, and he does such a good job out there.
"So we thought we'd really like to do something that would help. It is amazing how much we have achieved and know that it is going towards such a worthy project. It has been quite overwhelming."
Sharon and Claire, both wellbeing champions, organised a raffle which alone raised more than £3,300, and also held an evening of entertainments at Fords Sport and Social Club in Treboeth.
They secured donations from Amazon, Hengoed Park care home, and Swansea Valley Cardiac Support Shop.
They also staged a fancy dress fund-raising walk and bucket collection from Swansea to Mumbles and back.
Mikey said: "The project in Monrovia is now the biggest malnutrition programme in the country, and the monthly commitment to fund the paediatric department from Swansea is £1,500.
"To see how Sharon and Claire have stepped up and raise much more money than we could have expected is incredible. I am in awe of what they have done.
"It has come from nowhere and because of their hard work we are going to be able to treat so many more children. It is remarkable what they have done."
Staff at the hospital in Monrovia recently held a Teams meeting to than Sharon, Claire and other members of the Bonymaen ACT for their efforts.
Claire added: "It is amazing how much money we have been able to raise, and knowing what it is going to be sued for. It is quite overwhelming, but it has been thoroughly enjoyable and a privilege."
Swansea Bay Health Charity is the official charity of Swansea Bay University Health Board.
With your help the charity raises money for pioneering research, cutting-edge equipment, enhancing buildings and spaces, patient and family wellbeing and staff training which are not covered by core NHS funding.
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