School boy to take on 5k in memory of Aunty

Rowan Nickerson, 12, from Pembrokeshire, is taking on the Long Course Weekend 5k road race in memory of his beautiful Aunty Sharon.

 The event, which takes place on 23^rd June 2023, will be Rowan’s first ever 5k road race. Rowan has previously taken part in the Long Course Weekend LCKinder event for children.

 Two years ago, Sharon sadly passed away.

 Rowan said: “Our lives were changed forever when my Aunty Sharon lost her battle against cancer. She was able to receive her treatment close to home at the Chemotherapy Day Unit at Withybush Hospital.

 “I wanted to fundraise and give something back as a thanks for the care my Aunty Sharon received.”

 Rowan’s fundraising will go toward the new Heads Up! Cancer Hair Loss Support Service at Withybush Hospital. The “Heads Up!” initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from our local community to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

 The Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first in Wales to run this charity-funded initiative to improve the patient experience of cancer-related hair loss.

 Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We would like to say a huge good luck to Rowan for his upcoming 5k. This will be Rowan’s third year supporting our charity by taking part in a Long Course Weekend event. We are incredibly grateful for your support, Rowan!

 “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Donate to Rowan’s fundraiser here: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/pf/rowan-nickerson

 For more details about the NHS charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk