The manager of the Mumbles branch of The Principality Building Society has explained why he’s so motivated to help raise money for Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Cwtsh Close appeal.

The aim of the appeal is to raise £160,000 to refurbish five homes away from home for families with sick and tiny babies in Singleton Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

It’s a cause close to Stuart Jones’s heart after he spent time in similar accommodation in Minehead, Somerset after the premature birth of his first child,  Arthur, who weighed a little over 2lbs.

He said: “It became apparent that he was going to need specialist care for the coming weeks. The last thing on my mind at this point is, ‘where am I going to sleep tonight? Tomorrow?’ and so on.

“I didn’t sleep at all the first night, and managed a couple of hours in the car the next night. It still hadn’t crossed my mind about getting a hotel or somewhere nearby – this was before the age of AirBNB’s!

“The staff there were absolutely amazing in terms of the care they provided and one of the nurses asked me one day where I was staying? I lied and said I was in a hotel down the road. She told me she’d seen me in my car and next thing she was putting keys in my hand.

“The keys were for a little apartment they have in the hospital grounds, usually used by the hospital chaplain who was away on holiday.

“This essentially was my Cwtch Clos.It wasn’t the Ritz, far from it, but it had a bed and it had a shower. I can’t begin to explain the feeling of relief and comfort that gave me at a very, very stressful time.

“It’s incredible the amount of emotions you go through at a time like this. Arthur was one of the lucky ones and I will be eternally grateful for the many nurses and doctors who helped him – many premature babies don’t survive, sadly.”

Stuart has helped organise a sponsored walk to raise money for the appeal, which is being run by Swansea Bay Health Charity, which raises money for a huge range of good causes, often those things not covered by NHS core funding but which make a big difference to people’s lives.

Mumbles-based musician and broadcaster, Mal Pope, who is backing the Cwtsh Clos appeal in memory of grandson Gulliver, will also be on the walk.

The route will run from the Principality Mumbles branch to the Cwtsh Clos accommodation in the grounds of Singleton Hospital.  

It will take place Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, meeting at 9.30am,at the Mumbles branch for a 10am start.

The route, which will be 2.8miles and should take just over an hour, is suitable for all ages.

Stuart said: “I urge everyone to get behind this project to ensure that when, not if, this happens to someone like me in Swansea, they get that little bit of help and support that they will no doubt need at a really stressful time in their lives.

“Arthur is 17 on New Year’s Eve this year, he’s 6 foot 4. He’s just finished his GCSEs and is studying business. He’s very good at Xbox and emptying my fridge. He’s a pain in the backside most of the time (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!!) but I love him dearly, and will forever be indebted to the staff of that hospital in Minehead.”

Meanwhile Mal Pope said: “It’s great to support the work of the charity, especially after everything they have done for my family.

“I love the walk along the bay to the pier so to do that and raise money for Cwtsh Clos will be a delight.”

Lewis Bradley, Charity Support Manager, said: “We’re really excited to meet everyone on the walk. This event is not just about the miles you’ll walk, but about the impact you’ll create along the way to make a difference for families with babies in our neonatal department.”

To take part in the walk – it’s free for children and adults are asked to pay £5 each with a free T-shirt provided – please visit the link here: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/CwtshByTheCoastWalk

Main pic: Principality Building Society manager Stuart Jones and Mal Pope