It’s not unusual to see people skipping or even doing a roly-poly along the 5K route of Tŷ Hafan’s colourful Rainbow Run, but never before had anyone attempted to complete the fun run in a bath!
That was until Poppy Jones, an outgoing 10-year-old who uses Tŷ Hafan’s services, quite literally ‘took a bath’ for the fundraising event as a way to say thank you to the charity that she loves.
Known as ‘Pops’ by her family, Poppy suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease and was referred to Tŷ Hafan in 2011.
“She is quite a character with a great sense of humour,” said her dad, Rob, who was part of ‘Poppy’s Pirates’ with around 20 of their family and friends.
“As Poppy uses a wheelchair, we thought using a bath with wheels would be a much more fun way to complete the route. It was fantastic and Poppy was smiling and laughing the whole time.”
Poppy, from Crickhowell, has suffered many health problems over the years and there have been times when doctors’ didn’t think she would pull through.
“She has had has a sketchy past, health-wise,” said Rob. “There have been times when it has been very touch and go and we feel very lucky that she has been with us for the last 10 years.”
Poppy joined over 1,000 other Rainbow Runners for Tŷ Hafan’s second run in Pendine Sands. Participants started the route in white, and crossed the finish line covered in multi-coloured powdered paint to raise funds for the hospice for children in Wales.
“Like a lot of the children that benefit from Tŷ Hafan, we have to the make the most of the time we have together, “ said Rob.
“Tŷ Hafan allows Poppy to be a normal 10-year-old. She loves the banter and is made to feel like one of the girls’. She’s not treated like a disabled person, she is treated like a normal girl with a great sense of humour. It’s also the only place we can go as a family to have a complete rest.”
The Rainbow Run is expected to raise more than £50,000 to support Tŷ Hafan’s services at its hospice in the Vale of Glamorgan and in communities across Wales.
“The rainbow run is the perfect fundraising event for Tŷ Hafan as it represents the vibrancy and fun of the hospice,” said Rob.
“The funds raised from the event will make such a difference as there is no alternative for families like ours. Without Tŷ Hafan we wouldn’t have a caring, supportive service for children with life-limiting conditions.”
Tŷ Hafan would like to thank the Jane Hodge Foundation, Rapid Relief Team, 9 Bar, Ajuda, Princes Gate, Pendine Town Council, The Coal Industry Society of Wales, Ran Hire & Sales, Barnacles Beach Café, L’Oreal, Ants Hill, Narberth and Whitland Round Table and the Park Dean entertainment team for kindly supporting the event.
To find out more about Tŷ Hafan’s calendar of fundraising events, visit www.tyhafan.org
