Home » Swansea-born woman raises over £1,000 for NHS Charities Together in memory of parents
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Swansea-born woman raises over £1,000 for NHS Charities Together in memory of parents

Ffion Morris' parents, Rhodri and Helen

FFION MORRIS, 26, has raised over £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by taking part in their annual walking challenge, The Big Step. The event sees participants walk a minimum of either 5,000 or 10,000 steps a day throughout the month of October. Ffion, who moved to Swindon in January of this year, but is originally from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, decided to take part in the event in memory of her parents.  

Ffion lost her Dad, Rhodri, in September 2015 when he was just 48 years old. He had been diagnosed with cancer just seven months earlier, in February 2015. He received end of life care in Ty Olwen hospice, part of Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Ffion’s mother, Helen, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in January of this year and passed away in July at the same age of 48.  

During the challenge, Ffion clocked up, on average, almost 12,000 steps per day. She said: “I wanted to raise money for NHS Charities Together to thank the NHS staff who cared for both my parents at the end of their lives.

“My Mam received wonderful care earlier this year from the NHS during her treatment and times in hospital but it was the care of the NHS district nurses and palliative care nurses that was particularly fantastic. The end-of-life care my Dad received in Swansea in 2015 was second to none.  

“When I was grieving for my Dad, getting outside for fresh air and walking was a way of coping and helping my mental health. Having recently lost my Mam, I thought signing up for the Big Step was a great way to help me cope and manage the grief again this time round. I’m incredibly grateful that people have been so supportive and generous with their donations. 

“I would encourage everyone to sign up next year, it’s a great way to keep active, enjoy nature and raise vital funds for the NHS.Regardless of whether you raise £10, £100, or £1,000, it’s still contributing to the fantastic NHS that all of us have needed, need currently, or will need in future. It’s also a really positive thing to do for your physical and mental health.” 

Louise McCathie, Director of Fundraising at NHS Charities Together, added: “We’re so grateful to everyone who took part in the Big Step this year, including incredible Ffion who raised over £1,000 for our vital work supporting NHS staff, patients and communities.

“We want to say a huge thank you to Ffion, for taking on this challenge and raising so much money, despite losing both parents at such a young age, and having only lost her Mam a few months ago. With the busy winter season approaching, your support is needed more than ever.

“Money raised for NHS Charities Together funds everything from interactive kitten scanners for children facing cancer, to rest and relaxation spaces for hard-working NHS staff coming off busy shifts.” 

Ffion plays in a brass band that has competed in prestigious competitions across the UK. In her spare time she loves to bake and her specialities are brownies and fudge.  

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You can find out more about fundraising for NHS Charities Together by visiting the website.

It’s not too late to sponsor Ffion, you can donate to NHS Charities Together by visiting her JustGiving page.

If you’ve had an experience that’s made you grateful for our NHS, a staff member or team – take a minute to thank them, by visiting the NHS Charities Together ‘my thank you’ page.

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