Santa's Grotto brings festive cheer to Royal Glamorgan Hospital

A staff-led Santa’s Grotto has opened at Royal Glamorgan Hospital to bring some festive joy to young patients, whilst also supporting a fundraising appeal for Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity to create a new sensory room on the Children’s Ward. 

Hollie, a patient from the Children’s Ward, had the honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the grotto and be the very first to meet Santa.  

The Grotto, which is located outside the main entrance, is part of a staff-led fundraising effort championed by Mark Evans, Health Care Support Worker.  

Mark works with the Cardiology department at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and in his spare time he also volunteers as Santa Claus throughout the festive period.  

Mark’s fundraising efforts are being supported by his partner, Delyth, a nurse in the Children’s Paediatric Emergency Department at Prince Charles Hospital.  

Together, they have brought the grotto to life to support hospital patients and families and to help raise awareness of their fundraising appeal, which is raising money to fund a calming, therapeutic sensory room designed for children who are neurodiverse or have additional learning needs, providing comfort during what can often be an overwhelming time. 

A Community Effort 

The launch was made possible thanks to generous contributions from colleagues and local partners across Cwm Taf Morgannwg. Among the many CTM UHB staff to support the fundraiser and the RGH Switchboard team, who have started a collection, with additional support being provided from Tesco, Asda, The Christmas Shop, Usborne Publishing, Book Trust and Aberdare under 12s rugby team, who all provided presents for young patients.  

Creating a Better Experience for Young Patients 

All funds raised will support the development of a new sensory room for young patients at the hospital, which will help reduce anxiety and support wellbeing during hospital visits or stays. 

Speaking about his festive fundraiser, Mark said: “In my role as Santa, I see the difference that a little bit of joy and calm can make for children and their families in hospital. Taking on this fundraising project means a lot to me and I know the sensory room will make such a positive difference for our young patients.” 

Senior Nurse at the RGH Children’s Ward Tina Davies added: “Our young patients can face so many challenges during their stay in hospital. A dedicated sensory room will give them a safe, stimulating environment where they can relax and feel supported. We are so grateful to Mark and to everyone who donates to this appeal. It really will transform the care we can provide.” 

Abe Sampson, Head of Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity said: “We’re so grateful Mark has decided to fundraise for us in support of the Children’s Ward at RGH. The breadth of local support for the initiative has been fantastic, and it demonstrates how staff and local groups can come together to make a real difference through charity projects and small acts of kindness. The Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity aims to go the extra mile by supporting appeals like this through NHS funding. By bringing staff, patients and the community together, we can make good things happen.” 

Giving the Gift of Kindness 

Throughout the festive period, Santa will be making appearances outside the main entrance at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, bringing a bit of seasonal kindness to those already on site. 

The grotto will continue to open on select afternoons throughout December for visitors and patients at the Hospital, with timings updated weekly on local signage.  

Please be mindful that our acute hospital sites, including the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, can be very busy over the winter period. There are also high levels of the flu virus currently circulating at the hospital. The grotto is outside of the hospital itself but we ask that the public please help to support responsible visiting when on site.  

As part of the initiative, Santa will also be visiting each of the Children’s Wards across Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s three main hospital sites over the festive period, helping spread some seasonal joy to children receiving care at Princess of Wales Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital at Christmas.  

Mark is just one of the many Cwm Taf Morgannwg community members we’ll be highlighting as part of this year’s CTM UHB Gift of Kindness campaign, to help celebrate the local acts of generosity that support our patients, staff and wider communities. 

You can support the appeal by donating through the fundraiser link here: Creating a Sensory Room for the Children’s Ward at Royal Glamorgan Hospital - JustGiving 

For more information on how to support your local NHS hospital or service through our Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity, contact: ctm.charity@wales.nhs.uk  

05/12/25