We celebrate our 25 year wedding anniversary on 12th July , and given the difficult times everyone has faced through the pandemic, we thought what better way to celebrate than with a party. We don't need much excuse for a party, but felt this year particularly we have a lot to be grateful for and celebrate. We have everything we need, so if anyone would like to donate to our chosen charities in lieu of a gift we would be very grateful. Our chosen charities are Maggie's Cardiff, Alzheimer's Society and Blood Cancer UK .

We would like to support the three charities equally, but Just Giving have a very complicated set-up, meaning that you cannot donate to all three charities with one transaction. Three separate donations are needed. Talk about complicating fundraising. Please do not feel you have to donate to all of these causes. However, we will be super grateful for any donations at all.

There is never a good time to have cancer, but cancer during the pandemic was certainly a truly awful time. There could not be a worse time. All support that would normally have been at hand was very difficult, owing to restrictions in place, and despite the huge support of friends and family, we found ourselves very isolated and struggling emotionally. Maggie’s centre became a lifeline for us, and we could not have got through those darkest of times without their help and support. We continue to access support from the centre and will remain forever grateful.

We have both lost parents to Alzheimer’s and know the devastating effect this disease has on families. We watched our parents deteriorate and become strangers in their own homes. The emotional and physical toll for all those caring for them was huge. Siôr, Mali and Osian were robbed of knowing their mamgu and dadcu, and these two wonderful people sadly left this world far too early. Rachel felt like she had been offered a lifeline when she made contact with the local Alzheimer’s society. Their support was invaluable, and the work they do makes life more bearable for both the sufferers and carers.

The third chosen charity reflects Rachel’s work as a Haem-Oncologist. Blood Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in the last two decades. This means the prognosis for blood cancers such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma is much improved. However, there is still some way to go. Such advances in treatment relies on research, and while pharma companies ultimately bring many of these treatments to the market, the initial process relies on research undertaken within universities and other institutions. Not only does Rachel see the benefits such research has on treatment advances in her work, but we have close friends, with personal experience of such cancers.

Thank you. Diolch xxx