A member of the team that supports The Lord Mayor of Cardiff has set himself a special challenge to raise money for LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, The Lord Mayor’s chosen charity for 2010/11.
John Holloman, who works in Cardiff Council’s Protocol Team, based at the Mansion House will be ‘shipwrecked’ on the island of Flat Holm for four nights in April to help boost The Lord Mayor’s fund-raising efforts on behalf of LATCH. He has even managed to persuade The Lord Mayor, Councillor Keith Hyde, to join him for his last night on the Island.
Turning his back on the comforts of home, John will be spending his time volunteering to help the staff of the Flat Holm Project.
He will sleep under a canvas generously donated by Yeoman’s Outdoor Leisure at Blooms Garden Centre in St Mellons, who have supported him by donating a range of camping equipment.
John said “This will be a real challenge for me. Camping is most certainly last on my list of preferred leisure pursuits, but I’m really looking forward to it.
“Like many people, I’ve never been to Flat Holm, even though I must have looked out at it across the Bristol Channel many hundreds of times.”
Flat Holm is owned and managed by Cardiff Council. It plays host to many school groups, individuals and families between March and October each year who come in search of history and wildlife. Children find the Island a magical place and enjoy learning about the birds, slow worms and exploring the underground ammunition pits.
LATCH provide care and support for young cancer patients and their families from all parts of Wales from their purpose built facilities within the Children’s Hospital for Wales at Heath Park, Cardiff. Each year they need to raise £500,000 to be able to deliver a range of vital services to the 120 or so children that pass through their doors.
The charity is very close to The Lord Mayor’s heart as his Grand-Daughter, Poppy, is one of those children who have been successfully treated thanks to LATCH and their dedicated staff team.
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Keith Hyde said: ”When John told me of his plans I thought he was mad. Flat Holm can be quite a wild place, but I’m delighted he wants to support my charity appeal on behalf of LATCH. This wonderful charity does fantastic work in the face of great challenges.”
“Childhood cancer is the worst nightmare you can imagine. My family knows only too well, but LATCH helped us all through it and now Poppy is fit and well and as energetic as you would expect any six year old to be.”
John is urging people to support his stay on Flat Holm by pledging money to LATCH at www.virgiinmoneygiving.com/JohnHolloman
Further information about trips to Flat Holm can be found at www.flatholmisland.com
