We are delighted that the CARTEN100 in 2023 will be supporting the Noah's Ark Charity. As the official charity of the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, children and families are at the heart of everything the charity do.

Working closely with, but independently of the NHS, their goal is to support the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales as it continues to strive for excellence in paediatric care. Every year 73,000 children, from across Wales, receive specialist and life-saving treatment. Having raised more than £23 million to build and equip the hospital, today they work hand in hand with the NHS, providing funding for the most up to date equipment, facilities and support services for families like the play specialist team, who help children be children, despite the difficulties they are facing. Their mission is to create brighter todays and better tomorrows, ensuring the best outcome and experience possible for the children of Wales.

Meet Jackson who was born at just 26 weeks

Jackson was born at 26 weeks after his mum, Ceris waters broke at just 21 weeks, which is three weeks before a pregnancy is officially considered as viable. Though Ceri didnt go into labour straight away, she and Jacksons dad, Ady were advised by one doctor that if her amniotic fluid failed to replenish by the time she reached 24 weeks that they should consider a termination of the pregnancy as Jacksons lungs were unlikely to inflate when born. Ceris waters didnt replenish but Ceri and Ady decided to continue with the pregnancy anyway.

Jackson spent his first three months on the neonatal intensive care unit and has been a resident on Island ward until recently when he finally got to go home. After a difficult journey home, Jackson's immune system was already weakened when he picked up two viruses that he just could not fight off on his own.

After all they had been through at the beginning of their sons life, seeing Jackson struggling to breathe was frightening for Ceri and Ady and they took him straight to the local hospital where he was assisted with oxygen. Jacksons condition continued to deteriorate and within four days, he was in paediatric critical care at the Noahs Ark Childrens Hospital for Wales, fighting for his life. This time, not even a ventilator, which takes over the action of breathing completely, was enough. Jackson was put on an oscillator which maintains a constant pressure to keep the lungs permanently open. At certain points, Jackson was on 100% oxygen and even then, he was failing to maintain his saturation levels.

Read Jackson's story in full here

Donations made by people like you made it possible for the Noahs Ark Charity to fund the ventilators that aided Jackson's breathing while he was on the neonatal intensive care unit and the specialist equipment needed to save Jackson's life.

Support also meant that Ceri and Ady could take it in turns to sleep next to their son on Island ward with the pull down beds provided by the Noah's Ark Charity.

To Jackson's family and thousands of others across Wales, your support means the world so thank you for getting on your bikes this May and raising funds for the charity!