Kidney charity recruits national celebrity to achieve fundraising goal

The Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales has announced that Welsh TV personality, Sian Lloyd, has become a new ambassador for the charity as it seeks to increase its fundraising efforts during 2022 for the Children’s Kidney Centre, University Hospital Wales.

The charity’s target is to raise £132,000 by March 2023, which will contribute to the refurbishment of the Children’s Kidney Centre, Cardiff. The project aims to provide a calming environment with updated private consultation rooms and a children’s play area. Currently, there is very little natural light in the department, making it a dark environment. Through refurbishment, natural light will be maximised to create a more welcoming, warm and comfortable place for children to undergo treatment.

Sian’s involvement with the charity has arisen from her personal experience with kidney disease. Her brother was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 11, and at 17 received a transplant from a living donor: their brother.

The Welsh TV & Radio star is known for her time on BBC Wales Today, Sian has been a correspondent and presenter on BBC News, including BBC Breakfast and Panorama, and has also presented Crimewatch Roadshow.

This announcement comes during the charity’s tenth year providing support for kidney patients across Wales. The charity has currently raised in excess of £30,000 toward the refurbishment and hopes that the exposure from celebrities like Sian will accelerate the fundraising efforts.

Sian Lloyd, Paul Popham Fund Ambassador, said:

“As someone who has experienced kidney disease within my immediate family, the fantastic work that charities like the Paul Popham Fund provide for patients in terms of a support structure, guidance and advice cannot be understated. The project at the Children’s Kidney Centre is one I am proud to support and I hope to help them reach their target.”

Joanne Popham, Paul Popham Fund CEO, said:

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Sian for her support in fundraising for the Children’s Kidney Centre. Any help that we can get to reach our goal is greatly appreciated and having someone on board like Sian will definitely help us immensely.”