Lôn Las Cycle Challenge 2009

On 27th May a group of tired but jubilant cyclists pedalled their way into Holyhead, having cycled 254 miles through South, Mid and North Wales to raise thousands of pounds for Bobath. Setting off from Cardiff Bay on 23rd May, the cyclists spent 5 days riding through the breathtaking landscape of Wales. “This really was a fantastic challenge. We had a great bunch people taking part, amazing weather and the scenery was just stunning” said Claire Brown, Bobath’s Events Coordinator. Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales would like to say a big thank you to all the cyclists who took part, with special thanks to our challenge leaders Alex Bland, Seb Loyn and Emma Burnside.

We’d also like to wish Alex, Seb and Emma the very best of luck for their John O’Groats to Lands End Cycle Challenge in aid of Bobath in July. We are also extremely grateful to Paul Harris from 'See Wales' and Andrew Cooksley of ACT Ltd for their sponsorship. If you would like to join us next year for some exhilarating cycling please contact the fundraising team.

Bake for Bobath 2009

Did you join the many individuals, schools and organisations around Wales by Baking for Bobath this year? Money is pouring in and we want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who took part and made, sold, bought or ate Welsh cakes for Bobath. Now in it's fourth year, Bake for Bobath has become Wales’ biggest Welsh cake bake for charity. So if you missed out this year, please join us for 2010!

Radyr Primary School, Cardiff hosted a fundraising Welsh cake sale during their St David’s Day celebrations to raise money for Bobath.  The Welsh cake sale was organised by parent Jocelyn Peacock, whose daughter Rosie, aged 3, attends the Centre for specialist Bobath therapy.  With a little help from their Grandma Lucy, Sammy and Rosie made over 300 delicious Welsh cakes, which were a huge hit with their classmates and raised over £197.

Children from Bute Cottage Nursery School, Penarth also took part in Bake for Bobath 2009 and served their parents tea and Welsh cakes dressed in traditional Welsh costumes. Head teacher Ceri Hoffrock said: “The children really enjoyed their cake sale and seeing how much money they had raised for Bobath. This is the second year the school has taken part, as we enjoyed it so much the first time.”

We would like to thank Tan Y Castell Welshcakes for supporting Bake for Bobath 2009 and including information about Bake for Bobath on their Welsh cake packs. If you would like to take part in Bake for Bobath 2010 please contact the Fundraising Team for a free fundraising pack which includes recipes, stickers, balloons and invites. You’ll be amazed by how much a Welsh cake can raise!

 

a question of women 2009

What do Radio, Public Relations, Events, Entrepreneurship and Musical Theatre, have in common? Answer: a question of women 2009!

Cardiff born Lynn Bowles from the Terry Wogan & Ken Bruce shows compered the event and was joined by panellists Noreen Bray chair of Good Relations, Karen McGrath of Eventure UK, Laura Tenison of JoJo Maman Bebe and Margaret Williams one of Wales foremost musical artists.

This was the 6th year Bobath has held a question of women which took place on Friday 20th March at the Holland House Hotel. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, three-course meal, the ‘a question of women’ panel and the magical voice of singer songwriter Mark Ruebery, who brought the evening to a conclusion.

“This is the 4th time I’ve been involved in ‘a question of women’ and it is always a highlight in the calendar for me. Not only do I get to help raise a shed full of money for this brilliant charity, but it is always very entertaining and great fun, and this year was no exception”, said Bobath ambassador Lynn Bowles.

It was a truly wonderful evening and we would like to thank all our sponsors, including Sony UK who kindly provided a video camera and LCD screens and Barclays Bank who generously match funded the event. Reserve tickets now for a question of women 2010 at the Holland House Hotel.

 

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week

From the 11th - 18th October 2008 we celebrated our second cerebral palsy awareness week. The week was jam-packed with fun and diverse activities, which were aimed at increasing the understanding and awareness of cerebral palsy throughout Wales. Activities included a Family Fun Day, Corporate Networking Breakfast, Art Exhibition, Boccia Open Evening, Street Collections and a Coin Challenge.  Special thanks to our corporate supporters: The Park House Club, Mermaid Quay, Castle Galleries, Folio Typographics, Sport Cardiff, Jump Cardiff and GE Healthcare. Please contact the Fundraising Team if you would like to get involved in next year’s Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, 10th - 17th October 2009.

All Hallows Eve Masquerade Ball

Guest enjoyed an evening of elegance and mystery at Bobath’s All Hallows Eve Masquerade Ball at the Swansea Marriott Hotel. A special thank you to Bobath ambassador, Peter Karrie, who hot footed back from the Far East to perform as the ‘Phantom’. Also, to Spencer Morgan Jewellers who donated a beautiful diamond and sapphire ring, which was the prize in our Enchanted Pumpkin Draw. Tickets sold out this year so next year the Ball will move to Swansea’s magnificent Brangwyn Hall on Friday 30th October 2009.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate a grown-up’s Halloween.  Contact the Fundraising Team and book your tickets now!

Bobath Summer Fete 2008

On Saturday 28th June the sun was shining for Bobath's annual summer fete. Families enjoyed an afternoon of kite-making, face-painting, balloon modelling, stalls, bouncy castle, strawberries and fizz and jazz in the Bobath garden. Cardiff City Mascot Bartley came to visit and he challenged the children to a goal scoring competition, with Cardiff City football give-aways as prizes. Volunteer coordinator Emma Bennetts, who organised the visit, said: "This was a great chance for children to have some fun and show off their football skills to Bartley. We are really chuffed that Bartley could take time out to visit us."

We would like to thank GE Healthcare Limited for sponsoring the event again this year and all our wonderful volunteers who helped to make the day a great success.

Birthday Ball 2008

Our annual Birthday Ball was held on the 20th June at the City Hall Cardiff. Our 'From HOLLYWOOD to Bollywood' Birthday Ball was kindly sponsored by the Julian Hodge Bank; which not only helped us to raise much needed funds for the Centre, but celebrated our sixteenth birthday in magnificent style!

A champagne reception in the Marble Hall welcomed guests, all who looked magnificent in saris and glamorous ball-gowns and shalwar kameez to black tie. The City Hall was transformed with special effect lighting and virtual flames ensuring the evening was full of vibrant colour, glamour and glitz. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous four course meal, charity auction and raffle as well as the beautiful and brilliant Bollywood dancing of Rackhi Sood. The evening concluded with dancing to Mojo's Soul Band.

Bobath European Challenge Madrid 2008

In 2005 it was Amsterdam, 2006 took us to Paris, 2007 saw us in Rome and in 2008 we discovered Madrid. Barclays Bank and the Hard Rock Cafes in Cardiff and Madrid teamed up with Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales to raise much needed funds for the Centre. The Bobath European Challenge Madrid 2008 took the form of a treasure hunt, which took participants from the breakfast launch at the Hard Rock Café, Cardiff to a reception at the Hard Rock Café, Madrid. The teams took part in fancy dress, which raised more than a few eyebrows on the streets of Madrid!

Gail Griffiths, Fundraising Manager at Bobath said, "The European Challenge has become an annual event, which is tremendous fun as well as a fantastic way to see some of the most beautiful cities in Europe and raise awareness and funds for the Centre. The teams and the costumes were brilliant, as well as the staff at both Hard Rock Cafés who treated us like royalty."

Think you can handle it? Call the fundraising team on 02920 522600 for more information and to find out how you can get involved.

Bobath's Starry, Starry Night Gala Concert

Bobath's Starry, Starry Night Concert on 23rd May was a fantastic and memorable way to conclude our celebrations of 15 years of providing specialist Bobath therapy to children in Wales who have cerebral palsy. We are much indebted to our wonderful ambassador Peter Karrie who was not only a fantastic performer, host and compare, but also spent many hours organising and coordinating the concert. He is a star in every sense of the word!

We are also extremely grateful to all the wonderful stars, musicians and supporters who so kindly donated their time and talent. We have received excellent feedback from the concert and one lady commented that "It was like Sunday Night at the London Palladium". The Gala Concert was a wonderful way of raising the profile of Bobath, as so many people went away with an increased awareness and appreciation of the work of the Centre, which is so very important and beneficial to us.

 

Go Kart 4 Bobath

Thrill seeking adrenaline junkies were fast & furious whilst fuelling funds for Bobath! Teams of 4 – 8 drivers raced non stop for 150 minutes at TeamSport indoor race track, Curran Road, Cardiff on Thursday 18 October.

The team that took the chequered flag by completing the most laps was Legal & General, winning trophies and bubbly to celebrate their victory. A charity raffle was also held on the night with fantastic prizes.

Go Kart 4 Bobath is a great opportunity to build up teamwork with your colleagues or simply have fun with friends. For details of the next Go Kart 4 Bobath challenge contact: fundraising@bobathwales.org or +44 (0)29 20522600.

Vatternrunden Challenge

Vätternrundan is the largest recreational bicycle ride in the world. The course runs for 186 miles encircling the beautiful lake Vättern, Sweden's second largest lake. It was first arranged in 1966 and each year about 17,000 participants from all over the world take part.

Richard and Ryan Evans, whose brother Ben attends the Centre (and who helped raise a big chunk of the fundraising!) took on the challenge along with Anders Henckel Mikael Schoultz, Atsushi Matsuda and Mark Waegner. Not only did the boys complete the course but they helped to raise a whopping £8000!!! Congratulations!