Rotary club of Aberystwyth

Established
1947

Rotary International Ceredigion and Mid Wales Centenary Appeal

Palliative care unit, Bronglais, Aberystwyth

To mark the 100^th anniversary of the worldwide organisation of Rotary International, Aberystwyth Rotary club joined forces with the Rotary clubs of Tywyn, Machynlleth, Llanidloes, Aberaeron ,Lampeter and Cardigan to significantly enhance the new palliative care unit for Ceredigion and Mid Wales. The unit is attached to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth and the building was constructed in December 2005.

The local NHS trust obtained £250,000 to build the unit, but had insufficient funds to equip and furnish to the high standard necessary for first class treatment in a comfortable environment.

This major fundraising effort fulfilled the very important criteria for us, of providing much needed treatment and counselling for local people over a wide age range receiving palliative care.

The project is called “All under one roof” and the appeal was launched by the consultant physician in charge of palliative care in Bronglais Hospital, together with the Macmillan nurses addressing a joint meeting of the seven Rotary clubs, in Aberystwyth, in February 2003. The initial target was to raise £29,000.

With the assistance of the late Lord Geraint of Ponterwyd, who became our President, and the co-operation of the Cambrian News and Radio Ceredigion the project was launched with maximum publicity. In addition, a wide range of local organisations were asked for there support and these included Women’s Institutes, Merched y Wawr, all Community Councils, churches and other community associations. The support and generosity of the local community was overwhelming and it soon became evident that we would achieve our original target.

By February 2004 we had exceeded our target with £44,000 collected. Rather than close the appeal, we  decided to upgrade the equipping of the unit and create a centre of excellence with the best equipment available, including tele-medicine, which would be  installed at a estimated cost of £57,500.

By September 2004 it became clear that we would exceed our revised target and it was therefore was decided that the Gala Concert, in the Arts Centre Aberystwyth on November 27 2004, with the Morriston Orpheus Choir, Sian Cothi, the Choir of the Aberystwyth Welsh School and Rhys Taylor, would be a Celebration Concert to celebrate the success of the appeal. Gaenor Howells, the daughter of Lord Geraint of Ponterwyd, our late President, excelled as our compere. The Great Hall in Aberystwyth was filled to capacity and raised £10,000, taking the total raised for the fund to a staggering £90,000.

The equipment purchased by the fund was installed in January 2006, and with very careful scrutiny of expenditure, the total cost was reduced to just over £41,000, leaving a balance of almost £50,000. Discussions are scheduled with the Palliative care team and the community Macmillan nurses on how this money can best be spent to benefit the local community.

The Palliative care unit was commissioned in January 2006 with a staff of 12, comprising a Psychologist, a Complimentary Therapist, an Art Therapist, a Haematology nurse, 2 research nurses, 2 Palliative Occupational Therapists, a secretary and 3 Macmillan nurses. The unit is the Aberystwyth base for Macmillan. Therapies offered include art, reflexology, aromatherapy, relaxation groups, fatigue groups, and cancer support groups.

The unit has been named 'Ty Geraint', after our late President, and has a large plaque in the entrance hall, commemorating the contribution of the Rotary clubs who lead the appeal. The official opening by the Minister of Health, Welsh Assembly Government, took place on the 9th of August 2006

A trust has now been set up to administer the money left in the fund. The first meeting of the trust was held in January 2007.
The trustees are 6 Rotarians (one from each participating club), the consultant physician with interest in palliative care, a local GP with interest in palliative care, the chairperson of the local NHS Trust, a member of staff of Ty Geraint, and a carer or relative of a patient who is receiving or has received palliative care. (Rotarians are in the majority). The Trust will sanction the spending of the money left in the fund.

What has the appeal mean to the seven participating clubs? Hard work which made the appeal very successful and great publicity for the clubs and the Rotary Movement in particular. Visiting Rotarians in  partner clubs has meant much fellowship.