A group from Abergavenny is celebrating the success of their fundraising work for a ward at the town’s biggest hospital.

The Crafting 4 Cancer Group, which meets at the Community Wellbeing Cafe inside The Tithe Barn every Tuesday between 10am and 12.30pm, have donated thousands of pounds worth of new furniture for the waiting room at Nevill Hall’s ward 2/2 as well as paintings they have completed at their weekly meetings.

In total, combined with donations of wipeable pillows and heat wraps for chemotherapy treatment, they group has now donated over £8,000’s worth of vital equipment for staff and patients.

Some of the paintings were also kindly donated by The Tithe Barn’s resident artist, Jeremy Thomas.

“This wouldn't have been possible without the amazing support of our community,” the group said as they celebrated their achievement.

“Every donation we receive and every handmade item purchased at the Community Wellbeing Café helps us give back to patients, their families, and the dedicated NHS staff.”

“[We’d like to extend] a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, shopped with us, shared our work, or supported us in any way. Your kindness and generosity are making a real difference to people when they need it most.”

Part of the reason the group was established was to encourage people who have experienced the journey of cancer diagnosis and treatment to talk to each other and help end isolation within that system.

Bringing people together for that purpose is vital, said those who sat down with The Chronicle to discuss the group, which is why it is important that all donations and fundraising activities are shaped by the members.

“It is very important to make sure we have everyone’s input,” said Shirley Hughes-Jones.

“Most of the people in the group will have been on the cancer treatment journey or will be experiencing that process right now, so that open dialogue between each other and the ward itself is crucial to understanding how we can help others more effectively.”

“It is hugely rewarding to know that our efforts are appreciated too, but while we are doing this to give something back to the people who have looked after us so well over the years, there is an ongoing need to make the ward as welcoming and comfortable as possible while also making it practical.”

The staff at ward 2/2 are in regular close contact with the crafting group to discuss how they can help and what would help them to make it an overall better place. Crafting 4 Cancer itself continues to go from strength to strength and welcomes people from all walks of life participate and give something back.

There are already plans to help those at Nevill Hall even further. The group has said they would like to provide iPads for patients with blood cancer and they will have tables at Abergavenny Food Festival and the Christmas Fayre at St Mary’s Church.

Macmillan will provide some funding for the group going forwards to help their efforts and widen the support network, but a lot of the activities have been self-funded so far. Anyone who wants to show their support can do so by donating via the JustGiving link.