Every year, I do something ridiculous for charity.

This year I'm running Newport Marathon on May 5th dressed as a sodding cat.

About the Leon Heart Fund

Leon Montanari was born with a condition that meant he needed a heart transplant at the very young age of 10 months old but despite having to spend a lot of time in and out of hospital during his life, he was a happy, typically mischievous boy with a generous nature.

Despite advances in the care of transplant patients, Leon passed away in 2009 aged 13 and his mum, Julie, wanted to do something that would serve as a fitting memorial to him whilst also giving recognition to the excellent care given to him by the medical and nursing staff in the Paediatric Cardiology Department, University Hospital of Wales.

Founded on 30 October 2009, The Leon Heart Fund was created as a means of supporting the children and families who attend the Cardiac wards at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and the Special Care Baby Unit at Singleton Hospital, Swansea.

Our mission is to provide small grants to help parents with hospital expenses for the Paediatric Cardiology Department at University Hospital of Wales and assist in placing small pieces of medical equipment in the home for children with complex needs when the NHS is unable to provide funding. We also provide small grants to support small local charities. We are planning to support the new Special Care Baby Unit at Singleton Hospital, Swansea.

Leon’s Quiet Room was also recently opened at University Hospital of Wales.

Please help me by sponsoring as little or as much as you like to bring me closer to my target to help more families during such difficult times in South Wales and to support them while the most precious little people in their lives need all the medical and emotional support they can get. Every single penny is a penny closer to the target! 

Thank you and diolch! x