Local couple celebrate 65th wedding anniversary by giving back to the team who cared for their great-granddaughter
When local couple Bryan and Ray celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in October, they chose to mark the occasion not with gifts or grand gestures for themselves but with a heartfelt act of kindness to thank the hospital team who cared for their great-granddaughter, Daisy Ray.
Over the past year, Daisy Ray has received specialist care in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. Grateful for the compassion and support their family experienced, Bryan and Ray decided to turn their celebration into an opportunity to give something back.
At their anniversary party, held at Tondu Rugby Club, the couple asked friends and family to join them in raising money for the unit through a raffle and donations instead of gifts. With the help of friends Donna Tatchell and Helen Saunders, who kindly helped to sell tickets and support the event, they raised an incredible £810.
A few weeks later, Bryan and Ray returned to the unit with Daisy Ray and her mum to hand over the donation in person. The visit was a touching moment for the neonatal team who had supported Daisy Ray through her early days.
“We wanted to do something to say thank you,” said Bryan. “The care Daisy Ray received was just outstanding. We’ll never forget the kindness of the staff who looked after her and our family.”
The donation to our Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity will enhance comfort and care within the Special Care Baby Unit, helping to provide small but meaningful touches that make a hospital stay gentler for families, and supporting staff wellbeing along the way. These extras go beyond what NHS funding can ordinarily provide, but they make all the difference to families at such a fragile time in their lives.
Lisa Baker, Senior Nurse for Neonatal Services, said:
“We were absolutely delighted to welcome Bryan, Ray, and their family back to the unit. Their generosity and thoughtfulness mean so much to us all, and it was wonderful to see Daisy Ray doing so well.”
Abe Sampson, Head of Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity, added:
“Bryan and Ray’s gift is a wonderful example of how one act of kindness can ripple through our community. Their generosity will make a real difference for the families and staff in our Special Care Baby Unit, and is a great reminder of the power that local fundraisers have to make a difference.”
Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity supports projects that go above and beyond what NHS funding alone can provide. Our Charity is there to make things better for patients, support the wellbeing of NHS staff, and help to build healthier communities across Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Merthyr Tydfil.
Together, we make good things happen for families like Daisy Ray’s, and for our communities across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg. To find out how you can help, contact our Charity team: ctm.charity@wales.nhs.uk
To support our Charity and the Princess of Wales Special Care Baby Unit, you can use our JustGiving page here.
30/01/2026