Children paint Monmouth red for Velindre

February 3, 2018

Children from Monmouth Schools Pre-Prep and Nursery enjoyed a range of activities yesterday (Friday) to raise money for Velindre – Wales’ leading cancer centre.

Pupils and staff across Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools all made donations to wear red to school, while some sold delicious home-baked cakes and others bought promotional mugs and wristbands to raise funds.

Monmouth Schools Pre-Prep and Nursery have organised a photography competition which runs until 8th February.

Former Head Boy at Monmouth School for Boys, Hallam Amos, the Wales rugby international, backed the Wear Red for Wales and Velindre campaign.

Monmouth School Girls’ Prep hosted a hugely impressive Victorian Fair for pupils, which included ice-skating, a snow machine, a candy floss stall, face painting and traditional games, in the playground.

Seven-year-old Matilda told the fortunes of her friends for 50p, while students made a donation to throw wet sponges at good-natured teachers at Monmouth School for Boys.

Sporty pupils from Monmouth Schools for Boys also took part in a 30-second challenge to pass a rugby ball through a hole in a board resembling the mouth of ex-England hooker Brian Moore.

It was a memorable day for 13-year-old Darcey, a pupil at Monmouth School for Girls, who had seen at first hand the tremendous work carried out by staff at Velindre.

Darcey was just six when her dad, Mark, was diagnosed with bowel cancer and needed specialist treatment and care from Velindre. Thankfully, he has received the five-year all-clear from the disease.

Teenager Darcey was the schools’ Velindre Young Ambassador and she was delighted to see pupils and staff throw their full support behind the campaign.

She said: “Cancer is a dreadful disease but having seen the remarkable work by staff at Velindre, I wanted to get involved to help to promote the campaign.

“Supporting the work of Velindre is not only something close to my own heart, but for generations of other families across Wales who have been touched by cancer.

“It was lovely to see everybody wearing red and getting involved across Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools. It was a fun event for a fantastic cause.”

Head of fundraising for Velindre, Mr Andrew Morris, said: “We were absolutely delighted with the amazing response to Wear Red for Wales and Velindre. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part.”