A Carmarthenshire family is planning an epic run to raise funds for NHS services which provided vital care to their daughter, Mari Glyn.
The run, which takes place on 1st-4th August 2024, will see Mari Glyn's father Carwyn Evans and a group of supporters run 110 miles from St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, to Llangunnor.
They will pass the three hospitals which saved Mari Glyn's life and provided her with vital care, including Glangwili Hospital.
The family will hold a celebration at Llangunnor Park at from 3 to 6pm on August 4 to welcome Carwyn back from his 110-mile run. The event will feature children's entertainer Siani Sionc, a hog roast, a bouncy castle and much more.
The funds raised for Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda Health Board, will go to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Glangwili.
Carwyn said: “We are raising money for the charities that helped us get our strong, determined, and brave little girl home.
“Following a heartbreaking diagnosis while 28 weeks pregnant, we had two antenatal procedures in Bristol, before coming to a difficult decision at 31 weeks to deliver her early in a critical condition in a specialist hospital in Bristol.
“We couldn't have our first cuddle until she was five weeks old. At six weeks old, Mari got over the worst and we were able to come back to Wales, but not home yet.
“We spent another six weeks between Singleton Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Glangwili Hospital's SCBU receiving treatments and care, and slowly, reducing the need for breathing support and strong medication and when she established feeding, the three of us were able to come home almost three months later.”
Mari Glyn’s mum, Bethan Wyn Evans, said: “Mari Glyn is our little miracle!
“We were cared for so well by the SCBU nurses and we are so fortunate to have our Consultant Paediatrician's expertise at Glangwili Hospital.
“Having first class care in our communities is key and therefore we are raising money for Hywel Dda Health Charities to support the important services SCBU Glangwili provides in our local area.
“Our gratitude to the NHS is endless. Their ability, skill and kindness have saved our little family.”
Bethan Osmundsen, Senior Nurse Acute Paediatrics & Interim Senior Nurse Neonates at Glangwili, said: "Having a Special Care Baby Unit at Glangwili Hospital supports babies and families who require specialist care to stay together closer to home, and provides a step down from a neonatal intensive care unit, to prepare babies and families for a safe discharge home.
“We are incredibly grateful to Bethan, Carwyn and all their supporters for their amazing efforts and for wanting to support our service. We are very privileged to be able to care for babies and their families at a difficult time and being able to make a difference drives our incredible team.
“All donations received make a big difference to our babies, families and staff. We wish them all the best for the event, and we will be cheering them on."
Mari Glyn is now going from strength to strength and continues to receive special care from Glangwili Children's Centre.
The family’s story will feature in an hour-long documentary on S4C’s Heno on August 26.
You can support the fundraiser for Glangwili SCBU at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mariglynglangwili-1708175933696