Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal Fund, based on the Riverside in Haverfordwest, has recently received the largest single donation in its history.

The magnificent sum of £13,440 was raised through donations made in lieu of floral tributes in memory of the late Mrs. Olwen Warlow, of Rosemarket, who sadly passed away in late 2015.

The money was presented to the organisation by Ashley Warlow who said he was humbled and overwhelmed at the response from far and wide across Pembrokeshire and beyond in memory of his dear late wife.

Olwen had worked in earlier years as a nurse at the old County Hospital in Haverfordwest and thereafter for many years as a home hospice nurse with the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Bernie George, trustee of the charity, said: “Ashley’s donation is very much appreciated and will be added to the significant funds that had already been raised towards the support of the existing cancer day unit at Withybush and the development of much needed new facilities there.”

In this latter respect, he was pleased to say that the project was now moving forward apace and had been endorsed by the Health Board with the new facilities expected to be in place in December 2016.

Ashley, who until his recent retirement was chief officer of the Hywel Dda Community Health Council (CHC), the patient ‘watchdog’ organisation here in West Wales, said that the work being undertaken by Bernie and Trish and their team of volunteers, and by the other local fundraising organisations, was much appreciated.

A new cancer day unit and associated specialist services were essential for the people of Pembrokeshire to avoid unnecessary travel further afield for both patients and their families.

Bernie said that he would be pleased to meet with anyone who believes they can provide support to the appeal in whatever way they are able, this through volunteering in the charity shop, donating items for sale or in fund raising within their communities.