Swansea Bay community urged to help complete "The Final Mile" for cancer care at Singleton Hospital
Swansea Bay Health Charity has launched the final phase of its Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal, calling on the local community to help reach its £200,000 fundraising target.
Since launching in September 2024, the appeal has raised over £160,000 to support improvements at the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital.
The campaign aims to fund the transformation of the former chemotherapy unit into a modern outpatient department that enhances the experience for thousands of cancer patients and their families across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
“Cancer touches the lives of so many. We can see this from the passion of our community across South and West Wales, including fundraisers, donors, local businesses and ambassadors who have championed the Going the Extra Mile for Cancer Appeal so far. This next chapter, The Final Mile, will allow us to implement our plans to transform local cancer care and bring the appeal to life,” Lewis Bradley, Charity Manager shares.
The project will create a more welcoming, patient-centred environment while also bringing key cancer services together in one location, improving access to consultants, nurses, pharmacists and therapy teams.
Clinical Director at South West Wales Cancer Centre, Russell Banner, shares: "At the South West Wales Cancer Centre, we all strive to provide high-quality cancer care delivered with compassion, dignity and expertise. We recognise the key importance of the environment in care is delivered in. These improvements will create a more welcoming and supportive space for patients and their families, bringing services closer together and helping us provide more coordinated, patient-centred care. This Appeal is a much-welcomed investment in the experience and wellbeing of patients receiving cancer treatment across South West Wales and I am so grateful for all the time and effort that the community has put into raising these funds."
Plans also include reopening a volunteer-led tea bar, providing an important source of comfort and support for patients.
Among those helping to take the appeal over the finish line is Rachel Cole, who completed the Swansea Half Marathon in memory of her mum, Sandra, who received treatment at the South West Wales Cancer Centre.
Rachel said: "I'm delighted to hear that the target has nearly been met and I have helped a little towards it. When your loved one is having cancer treatment it's a really difficult time and as a family member you just hope that they will be well looked after and as comfortable as possible during their time spent in hospital. Having improved facilities and a comfortable and welcoming environment can make all the difference to those individuals going through such a hard time in their lives as it's such an emotionally draining experience."
Swansea Bay Health Charity is calling on the community to step forward and be part of The Final Mile – by attending events such as the Touched by Cancer tournament, giving what they can, and taking on fundraising with passion, whether through a bake sale, bingo night, sponsored run or something uniquely their own. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in reaching a shared goal and supporting local cancer patients and their families. The charity is encouraging people to act now – to do their bit for those we’ve lost, those still fighting, and for future patients who will rely on these services.
With the campaign entering its final weeks, the message is clear: this is a collective effort, and everyone has a role to play. To be part of The Final Mile and support cancer patients across South West Wales, visit the charity website.
About Swansea Bay Health Charity
Swansea Bay Health Charity is the official charity of Swansea Bay University Health Board, managing diverse charitable funds that support a wide range of departments and services. Donations go beyond core NHS funding to support pioneering research, high-tech equipment, improved facilities, patient and family well-being, and staff development. These initiatives directly enhance care quality and improve patient outcomes.
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