Leanna Cresci has challenged herself to walk 97 miles throughout the month with her baby, Rocco, after he spent 97 days in Singleton NICU. Having been born at just 27 weeks, his early arrival followed a complex, high-risk pregnancy and led to a 97-day stay in Singleton NICU – days that inspired Leanna’s March challenge.

Throughout those long weeks, NICU staff became much more than clinicians. “From the very first night of Rocco’s life, they included us in his care.” Leanna shares. “They explained every blood test, procedure and plan. They helped us hold our tiny son, who was extremely fragile. They taught us to do his cares through his incubator, how to tube feed and wiped away our tears when we needed them to. For babies like Rocco, every breathe is precious, every ml of breastmilk and gram of weight is celebrated and this special place makes it happen. This team became our family. We are forever indebted to them.”

This is my way of helping the team to be able to save more babies lives, while supporting the families in the same way they supported ours. They support on average 500 families a year and therefore, every penny will be appreciated!”

In the countdown to the tournament, 20 incredible women’s touch rugby teams have been set the challenge of fundraising £500 each, with the overall aim being to reach £10,000 by the tournament.

New on the Touched by Cancer scene this year, the Cwmllynfell Hares have come in like a storm and their fundraising total currently sits at £774, with 5 months to go until the tournament!

The team climbed Pen Y Fan on the weekend and hit their fundraising goal by promoting their fundraising page with friends, family and local supporters. The team shared: “We don’t want to stop there, we want to raise as much as possible for this great charity!”

The Touched by Cancer Women’s Touch Rugby Tournament is more than just a day of sport. It is a celebration of strength, community and hope. Teams from across South Wales will come together to raise vital funds for the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, where patients from Swansea Bay, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Powys receive life-saving cancer treatment.

In honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, the Perinatal & Gynaecology team at Singleton Hospital have raised more than £400 to go towards a specialist treatment chair, offering much-needed comfort and support to patients living with endometriosis.

Their fundraising journey has been nothing short of inspiring: from hosting a bake sale in the hospital, to sharing the cause through charity posters, and even taking on the challenge of climbing Pen y Fan on 21st March! The team (and their dog!) came together for the climb, demonstrating incredible dedication, teamwork, and compassion. Every pound raised will make a real difference to patients’ experiences, reminding us that care and kindness extend far beyond the hospital walls.

Well done to Abigail Morris and the entire Perinatal & Gynaecology team for turning their energy and empathy into action that will be felt by so many.

Are you inspired to fundraise for a purpose and take on your own challenge? Why not join 30 Miles in May? Get moving and help our Cwtsh Natur Appeal, raising money for a safe, sensory-rich therapy garden for local children with additional needs.