Diolch o Galon: Anrhegion yr Wyl

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-Good evening on Christmas Eve!

-Yay! Are you ready?

-Yay! Are you ready?

-

-I think so.

-I think I've been a good boy

-so I hope I get some presents.

-More importantly, I'm looking

-forward to giving presents.

-I'll give you some nuts

-if you behave!

-There's something special

-about giving presents...

-..especially

-to someone who deserves it.

-That's what we're going to do

-in the next hour.

-Giving presents

-and thanking very special people.

-Across Wales, there are people

-who go the extra mile...

-..to give their time

-to people who need it.

-We, their friends,

-and the whole of Wales...

-..can thank these special people.

-We'll be giving a few presents

-and some surprises too...

-..on Diolch O Galon.

-Our journey starts

-in Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd...

-..where there are two

-very special sisters.

-This month, medical history

-was created here in Wales.

-Now is the time to make a decision

-on donating organs.

-From 1 December, it'll be easier for

-people in Wales to choose to donate.

-Since 1 December...

-..every person

-is required to donate organs...

-..unless they opt out.

-Organ donation is a subject

-that's very close to my heart...

-..and to my family too,

-because I lost my sister Elen...

-..to a fatal accident in her home

-three years ago.

-But it was a comfort to us to know

-that Elen donated her organs...

-..which helped so many people.

-Two sisters live here

-in Garndolbenmaen near Porthmadog...

-..and organ donation

-is very close to their hearts too.

-In 2012, Llio Dudley was studying

-at Trinity College, Carmarthen...

-..when she fell ill.

-I felt fine, just I knew

-that something was wrong.

-I came home on Thursday

-and I went to the doctor on Friday.

-She told me I should go

-to Ysbyty Gwynedd just in case.

-After tests, it became apparent

-that her kidneys were failing.

-Exactly two years later, I was told

-I had to start dialysis that day.

-She had to have dialysis

-five times a week...

-..but the only hope for Llio

-was to have a transplant.

-Because of her condition,

-a living donor had to be found.

-That hit me because I couldn't just

-ask anyone to donate their organ.

-So that hit me

-in terms of who would donate.

-My eldest brother Dafydd

-was living in Australia at the time.

-I received a phone call

-from the girls.

-They told me

-what was wrong with Llio.

-I wasn't sure

-what they were trying to tell me.

-But after talking to them more...

-..I began to realize

-how serious it was.

-The more I thought about it...

-..the easier the decision was

-to come home to get myself tested...

-..to see if I could help

-in the best possible way.

-The family was tested

-to find out if there was a match.

-There was good news.

-Dafydd and his mother Iona

-were possible donors.

-But there was one perfect match -

-Llio's sister, Ffion.

-I didn't think twice about it.

-We're so close.

-It's just something...

-I just went for it.

-I didn't think about it.

-On 9 March this year, Ffion

-donated her kidney to her sister.

-The sisters' operation

-lasted almost ten hours.

-It was a worrying time

-for the family.

-I'll never forget it.

-The longest day...

-..of our lives.

-For me as a mother, my two babies

-were going through it.

-It was a pain you can't describe.

-I have three scars down my side...

-..and one big one

-where they removed the kidney.

-My side is still numb now.

-I've been told

-it'll be like that for about a year.

-The pain went

-after around two months.

-There's a big difference between

-this Christmas and the last one.

-Isn't there?

-Isn't there?

-

-A big difference.

-In tough times, the support

-of a community is priceless.

-We wanted to show support

-to the family...

-..and that the whole village

-was thinking about them.

-We thought about riding a bike

-from Garndolbenmaen to Cardiff...

-..to raise money to help them.

-We started from the local pub

-at midnight on Friday.

-We arrived at the Mochyn Du around

-three in the afternoon on Saturday.

-The whole Dudley family was there.

-A pint was waiting for us.

-It was the nicest pint

-I've ever had!

-In the first three months

-after the transplant...

-..I was always thanking her.

-She was telling me,

-"Stop thanking me!"

-We've almost forgotten about it now.

-We don't think about it.

-We don't think about it.

-

-No, until someone asks about it.

-It was a great experience.

-To see Llio today

-compared to how she was before...

-..I don't regret anything.

-Not at all.

-It's been quite a year

-for this family from Garndolbenmaen.

-Llio and Ffion have organized

-a dinner to thank their family.

-As you know, Ffion and I have been

-through a lot the past year.

-I've thanked her many times.

-I've thanked her many times.

-

-Have you?!

-Both of us

-would like to thank you, our family.

-I don't think we'd have been able

-to do this without your support.

-I don't think I'd have been able

-to do this without Ffion's support.

-Without their knowledge,

-the family want to thank them too.

-We've arranged a surprise.

-Both of them are big fans of rugby,

-and of one star especially.

-Without them knowing, Wales' leading

-try scorer is about to turn up.

-Alright?!

-Ffion, what you did to help Llio

-is amazing.

-You're a very special person.

-It's a pleasure to meet you both.

-Don't cry now!

-When was the last time

-you went on holiday?

-Last year.

-Last year.

-

-We're sending you to New York too.

-Really?!

-Sorry I can't go with you.

-You can come in the suitcase!

-That's one way of thanking you.

-Have a good time in New York.

-Incredible.

-Really?

-Our next story

-comes from this area...

-..Pontarddulais and Penllergaer

-near Swansea.

-For many years now,

-a very special lady from the area...

-..has worked tirelessly

-on behalf of the elderly.

-Caring for the elderly is a duty

-for more and more people these days.

-Valmai Fox has looked after people

-all her life.

-She had a successful career...

-..as a nurse and health visitor

-before retiring.

-But she has never truly retired.

-She's as busy as ever

-helping the elderly.

-She founded

-the Pontarddulais luncheon club...

-..which is an important part of the

-lives of the elderly in the area.

-With a lot of people, you have to go

-to meet them and ask them to join.

-What they get is friends to meet up

-with every week and a hot meal.

-A couple of times a year,

-we arrange a trip.

-At Christmas time, we're taking them

-to the Plough in Rhosmaen.

-Age Cymru is a charity which

-provides support for the elderly.

-Valmai works very closely

-with the movement.

-Half the people over 65 in Britain

-have told us...

-..that the television or a pet is

-their main source of companionship.

-So the luncheon club run by Valmai

-provides people with company...

-..gives them a chance to have a chat

-and meet with friends.

-It's something

-to look forward to every week.

-The luncheon club is very important.

-I can see shining

-on your mantelpiece...

-..an award you won last year

-for work you did with the elderly.

-It was for work involving scams

-targeting the elderly.

-Valmai is a big part of Age Cymru's

-campaign against scammers...

-..who try and trick the elderly

-over the phone to give money.

-Old people are always so 'polite'.

-If people

-talk to you on the phone...

-..you feel as though

-you have to listen to them.

-Then they try

-to get things from you.

-People are caught out because they

-think, "This person sounds nice."

-They don't understand

-that they're bad people.

-Religion has played a big part

-in Valmai's life.

-St David's Church in Penllergaer

-is very close to her heart.

-I've been vicar here for 12 years.

-Valmai's been an active member of

-our church throughout that period.

-She's a member

-of our parochial church council.

-A few years ago,

-she was elected as churchwarden.

-She was very pleased to be asked...

-..and was excellent

-at fulfilling that role.

-A small part of the church

-is a big part of you as a person.

-Yes, it is.

-My parents

-died within a year of each other.

-In the church

-is a window in their memory.

-Every time I go in there...

-..especially in the summer

-where the sun shines in...

-..my parents are looking down on me.

-So, a piece of my heart

-is always in the church.

-There's no end to Valmai's

-tireless work in the community.

-She takes an interest in everyone.

-Anyone who wants to go

-to hospital or something...

-..Valmai's always on call.

-She fills in forms for people.

-Filling in forms is a big job.

-She's always available.

-I'd say she's someone

-who is deeply caring.

-Someone who has

-a very warm personality.

-A very generous personality

-who puts others before her.

-What feeling do you get

-when you help your fellow man?

-You feel like you've done a little

-of something good in your life.

-That you've tried to help someone

-in this life.

-If they have a cross to bear...

-..you haven't made it heavier

-for them.

-You've helped to bear the weight.

-It puts a warm glow in your heart...

-..if you know you've made

-things better for someone else.

-Today is an important day

-for the Pontarddulais luncheon club.

-It's their Christmas lunch.

-It's also a very important day

-for Valmai.

-Find out what happens

-after the break.

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-Today, we're at the Pontarddulais

-luncheon club's Christmas meal.

-We've heard about the fantastic work

-Valmai Fox has done...

-..on behalf of older people

-in the area.

-Now, we and her friends

-have a chance to say thank you.

-Today is an important day

-for the club.

-It's the day

-of their annual Christmas meal.

-After some shopping in Carmarthen...

-..Valmai's friends want

-to show their appreciation...

-..by surprising her

-during the celebrations.

-Valmai loves Classic FM.

-We've got a special surprise for her

-that ties in to Classic FM.

-She's also a huge fan of Y Gwyll.

-So here we are, hooray...

-..DI Mared Rhys from Y Gwyll

-is here to say hello!

-I've been hiding in the car park.

-I've been hiding in the car park.

-

-Are you ready to go undercover?

-Yes, I'll go in on tiptoes.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-

-Hello, Valmai. How are you?

-I'm fine. Don't worry,

-I'm not here to arrest you.

-All of Wales has heard about

-your hard work in the community.

-This is a chance for us to thank you

-very much for your hard work.

-I've got an important message

-for you here.

-Hello, Valmai.

-It's John Suchet from Classic FM.

-I know you've done

-a lot of fantastic work...

-..in your local community

-over the years.

-Taking care of the elderly...

-..and being the person they turn to

-in their times of need.

-As a thank you, I would like to

-invite you to Classic FM live...

-..which I'm presenting

-at the Royal Albert Hall next April.

-On behalf of all those people

-you've helped over the years...

-..thank you very much -

-"diolch o galon".

-Thanks very much.

-That's really made me feel...

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

-

-You're welcome.

-Thanks very much for your hard work.

-Thanks very much for your hard work.

-

-Thanks very much.

-What do you think, Valmai?

-What do you think, Valmai?

-

-Really fantastic.

-Everyone's enjoyed their food

-so it's really nice.

-It's nice to be with friends.

-This lady

-has been my friend for 20 years.

-She's the one

-who's worked with the club...

-..done the hard work

-and all the organizing.

-I couldn't have done anything

-without Joan.

-It's been a pleasure.

-It's been a...

-I get so much back from the people

-I'm lucky enough to help.

-But thank you all very much.

-Thanks very much.

-There are unsung heroes

-all across Wales.

-It's time to meet

-one of those special people.

-Haf Thomas from Llanrug.

-Hi, how are you?

-Haf started raising money

-for good causes in 1995.

-She organized a Christmas concert

-to raise money for Unicef.

-This year, she's celebrating

-20 years of important work.

-By now, she's managed

-to raise almost 50,000.

-Hello!

-How are you?

-Haf, why do you feel you want

-to raise all this money?

-That's an easy answer.

-To be honest, it's because

-I want to help people.

-Over the years,

-Haf's efforts have varied.

-Almost 20 good causes

-have benefited from her hard work.

-She raised 7,000

-for her former school...

-..Ysgol Pendalar

-by swimming almost a mile.

-She's raised money...

-..for Macmillan nurses

-by selling Christmas cards.

-She's raised 5,000 towards training

-guide dogs for blind people.

-Perhaps her biggest achievement

-was to raise 22,000...

-..for the Welsh Air Ambulance.

-She did that

-by collecting 5p pieces.

-That's a lot of 5p pieces!

-We had tins

-as we went around the area.

-People would place

-their 5p pieces in this tin.

-Dad was the treasurer.

-He counted them.

-Did you trust him?

-Yes!

-He's an incredibly good treasurer.

-The cost of flying this helicopter

-every day is very high.

-It's about 1,500

-every time we go up.

-Every penny helps towards petrol,

-salaries and equipment.

-She's got presence.

-She walks into a room

-and people light up.

-She's always happy

-and she's irrepressible.

-If anyone deserves to be thanked,

-it's Haf.

-What I really like

-is that she enjoys what she does.

-Particularly now

-that she's making these cards.

-Fair play, she's good at it.

-She enjoys doing that.

-But, in addition to that, she enjoys

-making other people happy.

-At the Carmarthenshire

-National Eisteddfod in 2014...

-..Haf was accepted

-into the Gorsedd of Bards.

-That was in recognition

-of her charity work.

-A wonderful morning in Llanelli.

-We won't ever forget it.

-It was a very emotional morning.

-To think that a person like Haf

-who has Down's Syndrome...

-..has been able

-to make people think of her...

-..and want to see her

-get the biggest honour...

-..you can be given in Wales.

-Well, we were quite emotional

-at that thought.

-There was a huge crowd there

-to support her.

-It was just...

-It was just...

-

-It was just incredible.

-People from the local area

-came down to support her.

-The applause

-at the end was really...

-..it brought a lump to my throat,

-it really did.

-Over the years, Haf has got to know

-many Welsh and international stars.

-Of course,

-she's got a few favourites.

-I'm a big fan of snooker.

-My hero is Matthew Stevens.

-He's Welsh, for one thing!

-He wears the red dragon

-on his shirt.

-He's also a good-looking hunk.

-I like Westlife.

-I met them backstage.

-I enjoyed every second of that.

-There's a Welsh boy band too.

-The Welsh boy band is called Mega.

-I've been to see them too.

-I also like Pobol Y Cwm.

-How does it feel that you know

-you're helping people...

-..and these wonderful charities?

-I do like to help people.

-It's important to do things like

-this to raise money for people.

-People who are ill.

-That's why I've tried to help them.

-We're thankful for her as a person.

-We're very proud of her.

-It's a privilege, to be honest.

-Ann would say the same.

-It's an honour to be her parents.

-As we already know, Haf is a big fan

-of snooker, Pobol Y Cwm and Mega.

-One man who almost combines

-all of that, Rhydian Bowen Phillips.

-Two out of three ain't bad,

-as the song goes!

-Just like Meatloaf said.

-I like to watch snooker.

-Mega and Pobol Y Cwm, yes.

-Are you ready to thank Haf

-from the bottom of your heart?

-Haf is incredible.

-She's been an inspiration.

-She's a huge fan of Mega.

-She was at every Mega concert

-in North Wales.

-Haf works hard for those charities.

-She deserves a thank you.

-We've made an excuse for Haf

-to come over to the snooker hall.

-She's about to have a nice surprise.

-Do you know this man?

-Look who's here.

-That's another surprise.

-I've got a few more surprises

-for you.

-I've recently joined Pobol Y Cwm.

-So, we'd like to invite you

-down to the studio...

-..to watch it being filmed

-and to meet the cast.

-That's down in Cardiff.

-That's one thing.

-We know you're also

-a huge fan of snooker.

-We've got tickets for you

-to go and see the Welsh Open.

-Hold on, we're not finished yet.

-There's more.

-Who is your favourite

-snooker player?

-Matthew Stevens.

-Matthew Stevens.

-

-You stay there.

-Matthew has sent you an autographed

-cue, an autographed photo...

-..and his personal waistcoat.

-Isn't that good?

-He's worn this

-while playing snooker on television.

-They're yours now.

-They're yours now.

-

-They're all yours.

-It's been a very special day

-for Haf.

-She's done an incredible job.

-It's our job on this programme

-to say thank you very much!

-Thank you very much.

-Haf was over the moon there.

-After the break, we cross the Menai

-to meet another special person.

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-Welcome back.

-We take so many things

-in our lives for granted.

-One example is our ability to see.

-Blindness or loss of sight...

-..is a disability

-that affects many people in Wales.

-One very special lady, Faye Jones,

-lives here on Anglesey.

-Although Faye

-is partially sighted...

-..she works very hard

-for blind people in North Wales.

-My name is Faye Jones

-and I live in Valley, Anglesey.

-I'm 73 years old

-and I'm registered blind.

-I have a condition

-called macular degeneration.

-I travel on the bus every day.

-On Mondays, I go to the Society

-for the Blind in Bangor.

-On other days, I go to the listening

-groups we have on Anglesey.

-I'm lucky because the bus stop

-isn't far from my home.

-Getting a bus pass at 60 was

-the best thing that happened to me!

-I thought at the time

-that I wouldn't use it.

-But I'm very glad to have it now.

-Back in 2004, Faye was diagnosed

-with macular degeneration.

-It's a condition

-which affects people's ability...

-..to focus on what they see

-because things don't seem clear.

-When I drove, I thought one eye

-wasn't as good as it used to be.

-I thought I needed new glasses.

-I had reading glasses at the time.

-I went to the optician

-and then to Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-The doctor told me...

-..I had macular disease.

-I couldn't understand it.

-I asked if I could have glasses.

-But he said that glasses

-wouldn't make a difference.

-I asked him about driving.

-He thought that about

-six months from then...

-..I wouldn't be able to drive.

-Well, it was such a shock.

-I remember going home and I just

-couldn't imagine how I'd live.

-Despite the condition, Faye

-has managed to adapt her lifestyle.

-She now helps others

-who have lost their sight.

-You could also stand outside to see.

-It's a bit dark outside today.

-She's very active with the

-Society for the Blind in Bangor.

-She travels over an hour by bus

-to volunteer there once a week.

-I've been here for over ten years.

-Over the years, I've seen people -

-it's making me want to cry...

-..they come in feeling very low.

-The people here are brilliant

-at showing them everything.

-When they leave,

-they're different people.

-When people come here

-for the first time...

-..it's important that they're

-greeted with a friendly face.

-Who better to greet them than Faye?

-Faye has been on a long journey

-of sight loss.

-She's been through the experiences

-others are having now.

-She can show them there is light

-at the end of the tunnel.

-She is so positive and independent.

-She gives other people confidence

-to be the same as her.

-She really inspires people.

-She can change people's lives

-just by talking to them.

-I'm going to read you

-a piece of poetry.

-As well as volunteering

-with the Society for the Blind...

-..in April 2015, Faye set up a book

-listening group in Menai Bridge.

-This is an opportunity for blind

-and partially sighted people...

-..to enjoy time together

-by listening and having a chat.

-The RNIB had done a survey.

-They had asked people what they felt

-would be the biggest loss...

-..if they lost their sight.

-According to the results,

-99% said it was reading.

-When you think about it,

-we read every minute of the day.

-One day, I just thought

-we could start a club...

-..and ask people

-if they were willing to read for us.

-A lot of people came forward.

-The most important thing

-is the opportunity to socialize.

-We hope to set one up in Beaumaris

-in the new year.

-There will also be clubs in

-Benllech, Amlwch and Newborough...

-..and possibly Rhosneigr.

-Do you enjoy listening

-to specific types of books?

-I love Bethan Gwanas.

-I think she's very good.

-Unbeknownst to Faye, the listening

-group will be a bit different today.

-We have a few surprises for her.

-At the moment, the book listening

-group is discussing in the library.

-As you've already heard, Bethan

-Gwanas is one of Faye's heroes.

-I like Faye!

-We've asked Bethan

-to read them a piece.

-I'll go in first, OK?

-I'll go in first, OK?

-

-I'll stay here.

-Yes, be a good girl. Behave!

-Come in when we're ready.

-Our friends from over there

-have contributions to make.

-Absolutely brilliant.

-Absolutely brilliant.

-

-Sorry to interrupt.

-You do such fantastic work

-and help people so much...

-..and I don't think

-you consider yourself enough.

-No!

-Because of that,

-we have a surprise for you today.

-If you can come in.

-She's here, ready for you.

-Do you know who's here?

-Do you know who's here?

-

-Yes. Bethan Gwanas.

-How are you?

-It's nice to meet you again.

-It's lovely to be here.

-What happened to your foot?

-It's a long story! Shall I read

-a little for you to have a taster?

-"The hill from town towards Tabor

-was incredibly steep.

-"Despite it being a beautiful

-May morning at 5.30am...

-"..Ann could feel the sweat

-dripping down her back.

-"As she rushed home,

-she ran halfway up the hill..."

-If you come over here,

-we have another surprise for you.

-We want to show how much

-we all appreciate the work you do.

-Can you listen to this

-special message we have for you?

-To show our special appreciation,

-in July next year, 2016...

-..you and a friend

-will be our special guests...

-..at the classical gala concert at

-Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

-Come to Llangollen

-to listen to Joseph Calleja and me.

-There will be a luxury hotel

-and dinner for you.

-Come backstage after the show.

-There's only one more thing to say.

-From the crew and myself,

-thank you very much.

-We wish you every success

-and happiness for the future.

-# Thank you #

-Come back over here.

-Thank you all very, very much.

-For once, I'm gobsmacked!

-I'm very grateful to you all

-for what you've done for me.

-Everyone else is grateful to you.

-Thank you so very much. Thanks.

-Thank you very much!

-We've already heard about

-the generosity and bravery...

-..of many people tonight.

-In the Swansea Valley,

-one young man is quite a hero.

-When his mother

-became unconscious at home...

-..Evan Owens managed to phone

-the emergency services.

-Something quite easy for an adult,

-of course.

-But Evan is only seven.

-This is Evan and Alun

-with their mother, Cerys Owens.

-In April this year,

-Cerys became unconscious at home.

-She was home alone

-with the two boys.

-When they realized

-there was a serious problem...

-..Evan came to the rescue.

-Right, Alun and Evan, tell me

-exactly what happened to Mam...

-..on this day.

-Mami went upstairs.

-Mami fell on the bed.

-Mami fainted on the bed.

-Evan looked at Benson's collar.

-Then Evan phoned 999.

-Did he?

-This is another member

-of the family, Benson.

-In order to confirm the address,

-Evan had a clever idea.

-He checked the dog's collar.

-Evan is a hero in Ystradgynlais.

-What he did for his mother

-was great. It was so important.

-He knew what to do.

-That's important.

-I heard he looked at the

-dog's collar for the address.

-That was clever.

-Information is everything for us.

-Knowing exactly where we're going

-makes the job so much easier.

-His mother was ill

-and she needed immediate attention.

-He definitely saved her

-by doing what he did.

-At school, the paramedics went in

-one day to play the call back...

-..to show what you need to do...

-..and to make sure

-children know their address.

-Later, two of the girls

-came up to me...

-..and said,

-"You're Evan's mami, aren't you?

-"Evan saved you.

-"Evan's our hero."

-It was completely doe-eyed

-little girls...

-..as if they were meeting

-One Direction almost!

-We can't tell him that.

-He gets a bit embarrassed about it.

-It is still emotional -

-everything I went through...

-..and how ill I was

-as well, looking back.

-I hope it showed Evan

-he can do anything he wants.

-He doesn't need to be scared.

-He can look back on it

-in five or ten years' time...

-..or even when he has children...

-..and say,

-"Look what I did when I was seven."

-One of Evan's main interests

-is football.

-He's a keen fan of Swansea City...

-..and plays

-for Ystradgynlais Under 8s.

-He's a popular member of the club.

-It's the first year we've had

-a club man of the year award.

-We decided to give it to him

-because we heard what he'd done.

-He was a stand-out candidate

-in the club.

-I can share a secret with you now.

-One of Wales' football heroes

-has sent Evan a personal message.

-Join us after the break

-to see it all.

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-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-That was the voice

-of Evan Owens from Ystradgynlais.

-He reacted like a hero...

-..when his mother fell unconscious

-at their house in February.

-As you can see,

-Evan is quite the footballer.

-He's also a big Swansea City fan.

-He's about to get a big surprise...

-..as we and his mother Cerys

-say thank you.

-Mami!

-I've got a very special message

-for you Evan.

-Hi, Evan, Ashley Williams here.

-I understand you're a big fan

-of Swansea and Wales.

-I also understand that you did...

-..a very brave

-and remarkable thing this year.

-Your family are very proud of you.

-After this programme, the whole of

-Wales can also say a big well done.

-It's a privilege for me

-to say thank you...

-..on everyone's behalf,

-especially your family.

-We have a special Christmas present

-for you, Evan.

-You're going to be a mascot

-at a Swansea City football match.

-Me and you will lead the team out.

-You'll get to meet

-all the other players.

-In the school holidays, you and your

-brother will also have a place...

-..at one of the special

-Swansea City soccer camps.

-On behalf of your mum

-and the whole of Wales, thank you.

-Evan, what do you think?

-Are you happy with that?

-Yeah.

-You're going to walk out

-with Ashley Williams and the team.

-You and Alun

-are going to a soccer camp.

-He's worked. He's done so much.

-I'm very proud of both of them.

-Thanks very much.

-Well, we've paid tribute

-to some of Wales' unsung heroes.

-We've got one story left.

-Two years ago, Irfon Williams

-from Bangor found out he had cancer.

-Irfon is a father of five

-and the husband of Rebecca.

-He had a diagnosis of bowel cancer

-that spread to his liver.

-Despite knowing

-while I went through the tests...

-..what it would be I still felt

-like I'd been hit with a frying pan.

-It was a huge shock.

-We both work

-in the mental health field.

-We decided early on that we had

-to look after my mental health too.

-We couldn't let this

-get the best of us.

-So, we went public with it

-and I spoke on Radio Cymru...

-..about my experience

-with bowel cancer.

-While I was on the radio, I said

-I'd do something to raise money.

-By that point...

-..I was getting chemotherapy

-treatment in Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-I realized how much people

-go through with the treatment.

-Losing your hair and so on.

-I decided on the radio

-that I'd shave my hair...

-..and wear a silly wig

-every day for two weeks.

-I came home and Becky said to me,

-"Why did you say that publicly?"

-"You'll have to do it now!"

-You weren't happy.

-You weren't happy.

-

-No.

-Not at all.

-Despite his situation, Irfon decided

-to go about raising money...

-..for Alaw Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

-That's how Team Irfon started.

-Within two weeks of wearing

-these wigs, I'd raised 5,000.

-My target was 20,000 by Christmas.

-My father decided after I finished

-to carry on with it.

-He raised a load of money.

-It just escalated from there.

-Children came

-and knocked the door...

-..saying they'd baked cakes

-and sold them at school.

-They'd brought 12 with them.

-Friends have run six marathons

-in six days, raising 10,000.

-I feel so lucky to live

-in such a tight-knit community.

-Local people have come together

-for such a good cause.

-Unfortunately, everybody

-knows someone with cancer.

-People think it's important

-to raise awareness of it.

-We shouldn't be afraid of it.

-Hopefully, we've given people

-the confidence to fight it.

-By now, Team Irfon has raised over

-100,000 for the Awyr Las appeal.

-That appeal works toward improving

-better healthcare in North Wales.

-Team Irfon's efforts make

-a difference in patients' lives.

-Manon, the work you do here

-at Alaw Ward is incredible.

-But the work that someone

-like Irfon has done...

-..to raise money and awareness

-is priceless.

-Yes, yes it is.

-Many more people are diagnosed

-with cancer.

-We do so much more treatment.

-Because of that...

-..so many more people in the

-community are living with cancer.

-It's so important that someone like

-Irfon can show that positivity...

-..and how he's maintained

-his normality with the family.

-What he's done in the community.

-He's kept doing as much as he can.

-He's also been in treatment and

-stayed positive about his prospects.

-What will that money be spent on?

-It's spent on things that go beyond

-what the NHS can provide.

-In Team Irfon's case, it's paid

-for wigs and headdresses...

-..for women who've lost their hair

-during treatment.

-Complementary therapies which are

-something Irfon benefited from...

-..while he was treated here.

-It's going to pay for a counselling

-room when Uned Alaw is extended.

-Following two years

-of intensive therapy...

-..at the start of December,

-Irfon and the family got some news.

-The good news that Irfon

-had managed to beat the cancer.

-The feeling I got

-was some kind of relief.

-I'd been through this

-and at last, it had worked.

-At the same time, I've met so many

-people who didn't get better.

-People who have lost friends.

-I'm aware of people who've died

-of cancer who can't celebrate.

-Maybe it's not something

-to celebrate.

-I feel a little guilty that other

-people aren't in the same position.

-By now, I remember when I started

-with the treatment...

-..and I remember the boost I got

-when I heard the good news.

-We've decided now

-that we need to be public about it.

-I hope other people

-get a boost from this.

-I hope it gives people confidence

-to fight and stay positive.

-We've come here

-to Ysbyty Gwynedd and as usual...

-..we've got a gift to say thank you.

-This time, we're doing something

-a little different.

-Originally, you'd get the thank you.

-We've decided to change that

-a little bit.

-We're going to thank Becky

-and to give her the surprise.

-That's something you wanted.

-I think people take for granted...

-..that it's hard for patients

-who go through the process.

-But, at times,

-I think it's so much harder...

-..for partners, wives,

-husbands and the family.

-Becky deserves a lot of thanks

-for what she's done for me.

-Well, Becky...

-..you thought we were coming here

-to thank Irfon...

-..and that there's a surprise

-for Irfon.

-We're doing something

-a little different.

-We're thanking you.

-Irfon has something

-he'd like to say.

-I just wanted to say thank you

-for everything you've done for me.

-I wouldn't be here today

-without you.

-Thank you very much.

-You don't need to thank me.

-That's one surprise,

-and we've got another one.

-Take a look at that door.

-Thank you is a short phrase

-but a very important one.

-Sometimes, the words thank you

-just aren't quite enough.

-In your case, everything

-you've done to help Irfon...

-..during this difficult period

-you've had, it's not enough.

-So, we've arranged for you all

-to go away on a holiday.

-You're all heading to Euro Disney

-for a special holiday.

-That's fantastic.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks very much to you.

-Thanks very much to you.

-

-Thanks to everyone.

-It's a big surprise.

-Do you know where you're going?

-Do you know where you're going?

-

-We're all going to Euro Disney.

-Can I come?

-As we all look forward

-and prepare for tomorrow...

-..it's been a pleasure to show

-these stories to you at home.

-Yes, it has, Heledd.

-It's been an honour to meet

-some of these incredible people.

-They're exceptional, they show

-Christmas spirit all year long.

-I'm sure we can thank them all

-on your behalf.

-All we can say tonight

-is merry Christmas and...

-..thank you very much!

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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