The largest children’s ward in west Wales is the latest facility to benefit from young Pembroke Dock campaigner Elly Neville’s ‘Flag Appeal’.

Fundraiser Elly whose ‘Ward 10 Flag Appeal’ over the last four years has received support from far and wide, chose the very deserving children’s ward at Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen to receive the gift of a ‘Mobile Entertainment Unit’ which was presented on Friday.

“As Play Service Manager within the Women and Children’s Directorate across Hywel Dda University Health Board, I would like to thank Merlin’s Magic Wand for the donation of a Mobile Entertainment Unit to Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen and Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal for nominating us to receive the unit,” said Sandra Jones, Play Service Manager, at Hywel Dda University Health Board.

“So many children and young people will greatly benefit from this donation which will not only help our patients interact and socialise whilst recovering in hospital but will also be an invaluable distraction from their medical condition, treatment and pain.

“The unit will enable us to provide an inclusive, positive patient experience and we are extremely grateful.”

Patients on Cilgerran Ward are children and young people aged 0-16 years (young people with additional needs – up to 18 years) who live in Carmarthenshire and the neighbouring counties of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. The ward currently has 30 inpatient beds, 8 assessment beds and three high dependency beds.

Erin Woods, Merlin’s Magic Wand Charity Manager commented: “The Merlin’s Magic Wand children’s charity was so impressed to hear about the wonderful fundraising that Elly has been doing for her local hospital, which currently sits at over £200,000, and we felt that this amazing effort deserved a big celebration.

“We’re proud to support Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal by giving Elly the opportunity to donate one of our Mobile Entertainment Units to a local children’s ward of her choice, as a big thank you and well done.

“Elly chose the very deserving children’s ward at Glangwili General Hospital to receive the gift and we hope that the children on Cilgerran ward will enjoy some fun escapism and creative play during their stay at the hospital.”

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a children’s charity that supports children facing challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity around the world. The Charity makes FUN accessible to children with three Magic Spells: ‘Magical Days Out’ providing tickets and funding travel grants to families to enjoy their day at a Merlin Entertainments’ attraction; ‘Merlin’s Magic’ On Tour" working with our local communities at hospitals and hospices to bring the magic to the children wherever they are; and ‘Merlin’s Magic Spaces’ designing and creating amazing projects in hospitals, orphanages, learning Centres and more all around the world.

In 2015, at just 5 ½ years old, Elly won first prize in a school competition for her collage of the Pembrokeshire Flag.

Elly and her family decided to raffle the flag to raise funds to support the planned refurbishment and upgrade of facilities for cancer patients at Ward 10, Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest.

The flag was raffled and exceeded its income target, raising £500 in the process – this is where Elly’s real passion for fundraising began.

In November 2015, with the help of her parents, Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal was created.

Over the last four years, Elly’s Appeal has received support from far and wide. In January 2019, Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal wrote to Merlin Entertainment asking for support and were introduced to Erin from Merlin’s Magic Wand children’s charity.

Impressed with Elly’s achievements the charity kindly offered Elly the opportunity to donate one of their Mobile Entertainment Units to a children’s ward of her choice.