Celebrating £50 Million of Life-Changing Support
This year marks an incredible milestone for Velindre Cancer Charity: raising a life-changing £50 million since Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies joined us as Charity President in 2007. This achievement is more than just a number—it represents hope, resilience, and the power of community.
As we reflect on this momentous accomplishment, we’re celebrating every single one of our incredible supporters who played a part in this journey. Our amazing Velindre Family, are always at the heart of everything we do.
Together, We’ve Made an Incredible Impact
With your support, Velindre Charity has funded hundreds of services, roles, and projects that have transformed lives across the cancer centre and beyond. From ground-breaking research into new treatments to providing essential support for patients and their families, every pound raised has helped make a meaningful difference.
Here are just a few examples of what we’ve achieved together:
- Funding cutting-edge research into cancer treatments that offer new hope to patients.
- The roles of incredible staff members to deliver the best care and support.
- Supporting innovative projects and services to improve the lives of those affected by cancer in Wales.
- Funding patient’s welfare services to care for the mental well-being of our patients as they navigate this difficult time.
- Supportive Children’s Resourcing providing emotional support to families.
This milestone is a testament to the generosity, determination, and creativity of our donors, fundraisers, volunteers, and supporters.
Our Charity President
We are extremely lucky to have our incredible Charity President, Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies to the charity, which has gone from strength to strength under Jonathan’s passionate leadership and active involvement, and supported by an army of avid Ambassadors, fundraisers, donors and volunteers, who work tirelessly to raise funds for Velindre.
Jonathan, who became the Charity’s President in 2009 after a 2-year stint as a Patron, has supported the charity in so many ways over the past 17 years and has been instrumental in the Charity’s growth and success. His support ranges from attending dinners and lunches, hosting golf days, headlining campaigns, using his networks to recruit support and using his social media platform to raise awareness and promote the vital work of the charity.
Jonathan also led our first overseas Bike Ride back in 2012; a 500km ride form the Yosemite National Park to San Francisco, raising over £400,00 for the charity. Since then, he has led three other overseas bike rides and is busy planning his next one – the Summit to Sea Bike Challenge – in Spain in May 2026 in Spain after having to withdraw from this years ride in Florida after undergoing a knee replacement. The charity’s overseas events have raised over £7million since 2012.
He has also established a local 50-mile bike ride from Cardiff to Swansea that takes place each year. ‘Jiffy’s Cancer 50 Challenge’, which has raised over £250,000 since 2021, raises funds equally for Velindre and Swansea Bay Health Charity.
Jonathan said: “It’s been a real privilege being President of Velindre’s Charity. Witnessing so many people do completely mad things to raise funds for the charity is just incredible, but I can understand why they do it. From the kids in schools who take part in the Wear Red For Wales And Velindre campaign, those who do massive walks, crazy cycle challenges, the Carten and so on, I can’t actually describe how proud I am of all of them. It’s an amazing charity and it’s a huge honour to be a part of it. All the fundraisers and volunteers who come under the banner of ‘Team Velindre’ I regard as a team- mate.”
Read the full article here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/real-life-jiffy-national-treasure-29754376
Celebrating #TeamVelindre
Over the years, our fundraisers have demonstrated unwavering determination, creativity, and heart, propelling Velindre Charity to the incredible milestone of £50 million raised. From wearing red for our Wear Red campaigns to running marathons and challenging walks, they have shown us the power of community and collective action. Many have gone above and beyond, tackling daring overseas adventures or crafting beautiful creations, all with the shared goal of making a difference for cancer patients and their families. Each challenge, no matter the size, has played a vital role in transforming lives, and we are endlessly inspired by the passion and commitment behind every effort.
What truly sets our fundraisers apart is their creativity and the deeply personal reasons that drive their support. They’ve climbed mountains, braved the elements, and brought communities together through imaginative and heartfelt events that reflect their dedication to our cause. Whether honoring a loved one or simply wanting to make the world a better place, every single fundraiser has become an integral part of our Velindre Family. We are profoundly grateful for their contributions, which go beyond raising money—they inspire hope, strengthen our community, and ensure that our patients and their families feel supported every step of the way.
Looking Ahead: A Message from Charity Director, Paul Wilkins
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking to the future. Here’s a message from our Charity Director, Paul Wilkins:
“Here’s to all we have accomplished together, and to all that we will continue to achieve with the same passion, dedication, and hope. The future of Velindre Charity is filled with exciting possibilities, and we are committed to growing and evolving with our patients and fundraisers at the heart of everything we do. Together, we will continue expanding our reach, innovating our support services, and creating new ways to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.”
Thank You for Being Part of the Velindre Legacy
This celebration is a tribute to every single one of you who has supported us, believed in our mission, and worked tirelessly to make a difference.
As we look ahead to the future, we’re filled with excitement about the possibilities and inspired by the strength of the Velindre Family. Together, we’ll continue to build on this legacy, transforming lives and offering hope to even more people affected by cancer.
Here’s to the next chapter of our journey—thank you for being with us every step of the way.
