Charity begins at 'home from home' at Coleg Gwent

Staff at Coleg Gwent have been busy fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Bristol, in support of a colleague Paul Mugleston and his three year old daughter, Ruby. Young Ruby was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital after her third birthday in December last year. ICT Systems Manager Paul and his wife stayed at Ronald McDonald House Bristol during this time so they could remain close to the hospital, before moving to CLIC Sargent accommodation during the following stages of Ruby’s treatment. Ronald McDonald House Bristol provides free accommodation, including laundry and kitchen facilities and support to families while their child is in hospital miles away from home.

Earlier this year Learning Centre Services Manager, Kevin Arscott, walked the distance of all five Coleg Gwent campuses’ from Abercarn to Ebbw Vale via Crosskeys, Newport, Usk and Pontypool (53.6 miles) in under 23 hours. He raised more than £1,300 for the charity after completing his walk earlier this month, “Being a parent myself it is hard to imagine the suffering and emotional pain faced by others.

“Through my colleague I became aware of the fantastic charity which provides not just free accommodation, but a ‘home from home’ near the hospital for families to use”, continued Kevin.

In September, Dan Coles, Head of Projects and Funding, along with his colleagues Alex Anderson, Head of Estates Development and Facilities and Ian Rowe, Head of Health, Safety and Sustainability based at Usk campus, are tacking the National Three Peaks Challenge, with an aim of completing it in 15 hours.

The three men will be taking part in the organised challenge on Saturday 22 September, aiming to raise £2,280 for the charity. Help them reach their target by donating via their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andersonrowecoles