About dress up or down for a pound

Tŷ Hafan is the family hospice for young lives, providing comfort, care and support to hundreds of children in Wales who are expected to die before they're 19. We're a helping hand for Mum and Dad, a shoulder to cry on and a friend to be there when the unthinkable happens.

The children and young people who visit Tŷ Hafan love to dress up and have fun whilst making the most of every precious moment they have left with their families. Show your support for them and join in the fun by dressing up or down for a pound on Friday 18 February 2011 so these children, young people and their families continue to get the comfort, care and support they so desperately need, completely free of charge.

By taking part in dress up or down for a pound, you will be helping children like twins Lewys and Rhodri and their family. As their mum Wendy says "you should take part in dress up or down for a pound day because its families like us who need Tŷ Hafan. We depend heavily on Tŷ Hafan for care and support which helps us lead a better quality of life. So please take part!"

The twins' story
On meeting eight year old twins Lewys and Rhodri for the first time you would think they are like any other lively boys of their age and their cheeky smiles are full of mischief.

Back in 2001 their mum and dad Wendy and Adrian were looking forward to the birth of the twins to complete their family and provide siblings for their son Aled who was then nine.

The boys were born apparently very healthy but a routine screening test showed that they had Muscular Dystrophy which causes progressive muscle deterioration and is a life-limiting condition.

Naturally the family were devastated and found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that they would ultimately lose their precious boys before they reached adulthood.

Eventually Wendy and Adrian were told about Tŷ Hafan and the whole family went to stay in the spring of 2008 in order to begin familiarising the boys. Wendy and Adrian felt they would benefit from short and regular stays for them to get used to their surroundings and the care staff who would be looking after them during their visits.

Although currently very active they tend to fall over more than other children of their age and can find it difficult to climb stairs. However as their condition progresses and they will become less and less mobile and will ultimately only be able to get around in wheelchairs. They will also become more and more dependent on their parents for their care.

In due course the twins will inevitably spend time at Tŷ Hafan on their own in order to give mum and dad a break from the constant care they will need.

Tŷ Hafan will be there along the way to support them through, what is going to be, a difficult few years.