A 29-year-old woman from St Mellons is taking on the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of her brother.
Becky Davies will be doing so to raise money for Tŷ Hafan to give back to the charity that she said has had a profound impact on her family.
The event on Sunday 6 October will be the first half marathon Becky has ever run. But she said it’s not just about the miles, it’s about remembering her brother Nathan and doing it for such a special cause.
Nathan sadly passed away on December 26 last year. He was just 26.
Becky said: “As I prepare to run my first half marathon, it’s not just about the miles; it’s about honouring the profound impact Tŷ Hafan has had on my family.
“Tŷ Hafan holds a special place in our hearts, as it provided love and support to my brother during his time there. Though he’s no longer with us, the memories we shared at Tŷ Hafan remain cherished treasures and I know that with each step I take, I’ll be carrying his spirit alongside me.”
Nathan had first been admitted to hospital in December 2010 for emergency surgery on a bowel obstruction. Devastatingly, in early 2011 he started to deteriorate, and a plan was put in place for end of life care.
That’s when his consultant recommended that the family visit Tŷ Hafan so Nathan could get the palliative care and support he needed.
Becky said: “He wasn’t absorbing any food and was becoming really weak and frail. We spent a lot of time at Tŷ Hafan as a family, including Christmas and Nathan’s 14th birthday.”
Despite all the odds, incredibly Nathan started to improve and managed to come home in 2012. He even went off to National Star College a couple of years later, before then living in a residential nursing home near the family.
Becky said: “He was a real success story and got to go off and explore and live a healthy life.
“We remained active members of Tŷ Hafan and got involved with the family events and volunteered at some fundraising events over the years.”
However, in November 2023, Nathan was admitted back to the University Hospital of Wales with a twisted bowel. Despite having further surgery, he tragically passed away on Boxing Day.
Becky said: “Tŷ Hafan have continued to support us so much since then. They have offered bereavement counselling to us all and we attended their memorial service in July. Nathan now has a ‘named pebble’ in their memorial garden.
“Nathan was so cheeky and always had a smile on his face. He loved playing in the garden there and listening to reggae music.
“He was non-verbal and had severe global developmental delay. However, he was very affectionate and loved to be around people – he and I had a very close bond.”
She added: “We know that the hospice will always remain a safe space for us as a family. We can share memories of our brave, inspiring and mischievous young man with staff who knew him and also have the freedom to spend time there together and reflect on the amazing life that he led.
“The Cardiff Half Marathon is a complete first time for me – I’ve done nothing like this before, but I know that Nathan will be with me on the day, and I’m determined to do it for him.”
James Davies-Hale, Head of Fundraising for Tŷ Hafan, said: “Every day thousands of families in Wales, like Becky’s family, live knowing that it could be their child’s last, and often without any care or support.
“At Tŷ Hafan, our ambition is that when a child’s life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own.
“As a charity, we are dependent on the amazing kindness and generosity of people for over 85% of the funds that we need to do what we do.
“And right now, Tŷ Hafan only has enough money to help one in 10 families in Wales that could benefit from our support.
“So we’re super-grateful to Becky, and to everyone who is running the Cardiff Half Marathon for us.
“Thanks to what they are doing for us, they are helping to make sure that Tŷ Hafan will be there for all those children and young people who need us, just like Nathan and Becky – through life, death and beyond.”
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, added: “The Cardiff Half Marathon helps to raise over £3 million for charity each year. We’re always so inspired to hear of the incredible runners taking on the event to raise money for important causes close to their heart.
“Tŷ Hafan is a fantastic charity that helps so many young people and their families. We wish Becky the best of luck for race day and can’t wait to cheer her over the finish line.”
The Principality Cardiff Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 6 October. For more information visit: www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/ or to donate to Becky’s fundraising page click here.
