On the 25^th February 2011, stars from film, TV and music will appear in a prestigious charity gala evening for TREAT Trust Wales at the Brangwyn Hall Swansea.

There’ll be an exclusive performance by international singing sensation and TREAT Patron, Paul Potts, and personal presentation by Hollywood icon, Michael Sheen OBE, who is President of the charity. Acclaimed soprano, Rebecca Evans, will also perform and compère for the event will be Kevin Johns MBE.

During the launch evening, guests will get the fundraising under way by taking part in a glittering “Money Can’t Buy” charity auction

The TREAT centre is the vision of Melanie Davies who became paralysed after a spinal injury at the age of 15 and is battling breast cancer for the second time. Melanie knows first hand the difference such a facility will make to the people of South Wales and beyond and she has won the backing of a formidable group of patrons, trustees and supporters who will help host the Gala Dinner to officially kick off the fundraising campaign.

In addition to Paul Potts, TREAT Trust’s other patrons are Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. Dr. Gwyn Jones, Mr. James Hook, Professor Dame Carol Black and Professor Sir Mansel Aylward

Melanie said, “We at TREAT were thrilled when Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board offered us a home at Morriston Hospital but we need to fund the building and its equipment and running costs. As an independent charity we need public support to accomplish our goal.”

President Michael Sheen added, “The people of Wales deserve top-class and ground-breaking facilities. TREAT will be paving the way to empower ourselves physically and mentally not only to value our health and fitness but to take responsibility for it. In our lives we need drive, ambition and commitment to make headway. Be part of the vision and help us raise the funds to make it a reality.

“From every penny to every pound, the TREAT Building is something you will be able to be proud of as a legacy that will go on from now to future generations”

Paul is also hugely enthusiastic. “As patron of TREAT Trust Wales I feel very strongly that I should do something rather than just be a name on a letterhead. The TREAT concept is revolutionary. It will be wonderful to have such an innovative facility in south-west Wales.”

The TREAT centre will benefit countless people in our community – those living with illness, injury or disability, the support network of their families and friends, as well as those who are fit and well and wish to remain so.

The TREAT facility will be an umbrella for other organisations to use – charities working with heart disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes – the list is endless.

TREAT Trust Wales is looking for the support of people across South Wales, either through attending fantastic fundraising events, providing services or through donations. Every single contribution will be another step towards the building.

For more information about attending the official launch gala dinner contact Vicky Semple of Spot On events & communications on 02920 450782, email vicky@spotonec.com or visit www.treattrust.org.uk

OR BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!

What a roller coaster year 2010 has been for TREAT and for us personally. It’s had more ying and yang than a yo-yo in overdrive!

Life, much like the weather has delivered in extremes.

The year set off with us tootling up to London to appear on ITV’s This Morning with the delicious Philip Schofield and gorgeous Holly Willoughby promoting “Never Say Die”. Our live TV debut was a relaxed affair until I mentioned the Tuna Baguette and Phil collapsed in hysterics. Following this leap to stardom was an interview with the Reverend Richard Coles for Radio 4 Saturday Morning Live show. Ensuring the tuna incident would this time remain well under wraps I decide to inform the Nation that every time Mike had encountered me in the fracture clinic some three decades ago he “adopted the expression of someone who had put his finger through the toilet paper”. British broadcasting has to be admired as even after this –too much information – episode we appeared on Radio Wales’s Shan Cothi show without incident!

The great thing about all of these expeditions was that they were a welcome distraction from the Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that had decided to call again on Mike after 16 years. Chemotherapy underway he was bald and scrawny for morning tele though Jason Gardiner, judge from Dancing On Ice still couldn’t hold a candle to him. We admonished J.G in make-up for his comments about Sharon Davies looking like a tree. That’s the beauty of radio, you’re invisible so can look shocking as long as you sound good.

The coming of spring saw my dad hospitalised leaving mum alone at home with only the maze that is Alzheimer’s disease for company. The heart breaking though sensible decision was made for her to be in residential care.

Spring also brought forth numerous and uplifting fundraising activities. Alun Clement’s LEJOG, his epic and heroic cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats during which he crashed, got concussed but carried on will never be forgotten. There were cake sales, themed gastro evenings and dinners and all girl rock band The Kix headlined at a gig organised by Cath and the Aberdare Motorcycle Club. All this breathing life into TREAT and spurring us on.

My old school, St. Joseph’s, invited me to be their guest speaker at their annual prize awards evening which was such an honour and launched me into public speaking, not that talking has ever been a problem for me but an audience 800 strong stuck my lips to my teeth!

All was great, we had our land from Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, coverage by the South Wales Evening Post, Boyes Rees Architects on board and a classy website thanks to Rhian at BSS. All of us pulling together for TREAT.

Mike was well and his hair and tummy had regrown!

Autumn arrived and was kicked off with a show starring BBC’S Owen Money with Wendy Kane and a plethora of other fine Welsh talent.

Dizzy new heights then as Paul Potts became Patron of TREAT in no time raising almost £50K performing at a charity concert during the Swiss Open Tennis Championships in Basil.

Three days after this I was diagnosed with a new breast cancer very tidily ten years after the first one.

So what’s new? Between us it’s now five times that the Big C has hit us (Mike’s prostate went rotten a year after we married) and it always seems to think that it’s a good idea to come as a Christmas present.

Odd that it hasn’t twigged that we really don’t have time to have it mess up the festive season as we’re too busy gearing ourselves up to enjoy (?) a white Christmas. The food’s in, the decorations are up and we’re already looking ahead to February 25^th 2011 and what promises to be Wales’s Premier Gala Event, the TREAT Charity dinner at the Brangwyn Hall Swansea.

It will be a star studded night. Paul Potts along with TREAT President Michael Sheen and Rebecca Evans will take to the stage. So dust off your glad rags and we’ll see you there.

We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Once again, we’re on the up!!!

We wish you a warm and happy Christmas.

Tipped to be the charity event of 2011, the TREAT Trust Gala Dinner will officially launch a £10M fundraising drive for a world-class rehabilitation and wellbeing centre at Swansea's Morriston Hospital.

Tables & Tickets now available to buy online!

There'll be an exclusive performance by international singing sensation and TREAT patron, Paul Potts, and personal presentation by Hollywood icon, Michael Sheen OBE, who is president of the charity. Acclaimed soprano, Rebecca Evans, will also perform and compere for the February 25 event at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall will be Kevin Jones MBE.

The TREAT centre will benefit countless people in our community – those living with illness, injury or disability, the support network of their families and friends as well as those who are fit and well and wish to remain so.

Key facilities will be a ramped-access, heated swimming pool, a modern gymnasium, and support such as physiotherapy and complementary therapies including music and art. The centre will be the first of its kind in Wales and the project is actively endorsed by the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board which has allocated a £1.5M site for the building.

The TREAT centre is the visiion of Melanie Davies who became paralysed after a spinal injury at the age of 15 and is battling breast cancer for the second time. Melanie knows first hand the difference such a facility will make to the people of South Wales and beyond and she has won the backing of a formidable group of patrons, trustees and supporters who will help host the upcoming Gala Dinner to officially kick off the fundraising campaign.

This black tie event is not to be missed! Sponsorship and ticket details will be publicised shortly and also posted to the TREAT Trust website. Any inquiries can be directed to Vicky Semple at Spot on Events & Communications, telephone 02920 450782 or email vicky@spotonec.com

_Click here to book your tables or tickets online_

THE driving force behind a Swansea-based charity has only just come home from hospital after surgery for breast cancer — but she is already throwing herself straight back into her work.

And she has had get-well wishes from none other than Hollywood star Michael Sheen.

Lightning has now struck twice for Melanie Davies, who dreamed up the idea that eventually became Treat Trust Wales while recovering from breast cancer for the first time ten years ago.

That was in her left breast. But a few weeks ago, Melanie, who is from Port Talbot and now lives with retired surgeon Mike near Pontardawe, found a lump in her right breast.

It was diagnosed as malignant and Melanie went into Singleton Hospital on Monday to have the tumour removed.

"I had the operation that morning and I was home the same night," said Melanie, who has been a wheelchair user since breaking her back in a motorbike accident as a 15-year-old schoolgirl 30 years ago.

"To be honest I am feeling great. It was nice to get the tumour out.

"My surgeon, Mike Chare, has been fantastic. He saved my life the last time I had cancer and he has been great with me this time as well. I honestly could not be in better hands.

"I have to wait eight to ten days for them to have the pathology back. Then they will know if there is any chance of the cancer spreading and they can decide my treatment."

During her first battle against the illness, Melanie had radiotherapy but did not need chemotherapy.

"I coped with it very well," she said. "The only drawback was that I had part of my treatment in Velindre Hospital and I'm hoping to have it all locally this time around."

Treat Trust Wales is developing plans for a £10 million therapy centre in the grounds of Morriston Hospital. Michael Sheen is its president and its patrons include singer Paul Potts.

The two will be appearing in a corporate fundraising event in Swansea's Brangwyn Hall next year, and Melanie has now confirmed the date as Friday, February 25.

"I'm throwing myself into my work," she said. "I have to, or else I will go crazy."

Melanie initially came up with the idea for Treat Trust Wales as a way of occupying her mind while recovering from breast cancer in 2000.

Her story is recounted in her autobiography, Never Say Die, and her experiences with the illness this time around have inspired her to press on with the sequel.

Even so, the cancer has come as a double blow in more ways than one, as husband Mike is also being treated for non-Hodgkinson's lymphoma.

But among the get-well wishes is one that has particularly cheered Melanie up.

"I had a nice email from Michael Sheen," she said. "He told me I was strong enough to beat it and that he was thinking of me.

"It was 'onwards and upwards and let's make Treat happen'. It was very sweet of him."

SOURCE: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Charity-champion-gets-work-cancer-surgery/article-2908839-detail/article.html

By Paul Lewis

Singing star Paul Potts has handed over almost £50,000 to a charity at Morriston Hospital

The Britain's Got Talent winner performed at a major tennis tournament in Switzerland in return for a five-figure donation to the worthy cause of his choice.

And Paul decided to award it to TREAT Trust Wales, which was founded by Melanie Davies, from his adopted home town of Port Talbot.

TREAT Trust Wales, whose president is movie star and fellow Port Talbot boy Michael Sheen, is developing plans for a £10 million therapy centre in the grounds of Morriston Hospital.

Paul explained: "I did a performance at the opening of the Basle Tennis Open Championship where Roger Federer was playing.

"They preferred to give money to a charity of my choice rather than pay me personally.

"I support a lot of charities but I am now a patron of Treat Trust Wales and I feel very strongly that if you are a patron, you should do something rather than just be a name on a letterhead.

"I spend a lot of time abroad but it's good to bring something back home."

Initially Paul was told he would get 35,000 euros. "Then they astounded me by saying they were increasing the amount to 77,000 Swiss francs, which is just under £48,000," he added.

"I enjoyed the performance and it has given a very worthwhile cause a huge jump up. It will be great to have such a facility in South West Wales."

Melanie, who now lives near Pontardawe with husband Mike, and is battling breast cancer for the second time, said: "It's vital for us to have big names on board.

"But, more importantly, Paul is such a warm and approachable person. He will become an ambassador for Treat in the same way that Michael Sheen is. We are so lucky to have them."

SOURCE: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Singer-Paul-Potts-s-gift-Morriston-charity/article-2854634-detail/article.html

TREAT's founder Melanie Davies has been engaged to discuss implementing the principles of equality at two events held by he Welsh Local Government Association.

The first event will be held in Newport YMCA on Friday 19th November, the second on Thursday 9th December in the Liberty Stadium.

A FORMER cancer specialist who helped treat one of the main organisers of a Swanseabased charity has now signed up to join it.

Consultant clinical oncologist Dr Salah El-Sharkawi, who retired last month, was hugely popular with patients and helped start Singleton Hospital's South West Wales Cancer Centre.

Now he has become a member of Treat Trust Wales and will provide expert advice as it progresses its plans for a £10 million therapy centre at Morriston Hospital.

Husband and wife team Mike and Melanie Davies, who live near Pontardawe, are the driving force behind the project.

It was Dr Sharkawi who treated Mike when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer the year after the couple married in 2004.

Melanie explained: "Salah used to read all the Evening Post clippings about Treat Trust Wales and showed a lot of interest.

"Because he was treating Mike it wasn't the appropriate time to ask him to get on board.

"But when we heard he was coming up to retirement we thought he would be a wonderful man to have with us."

Treat Trust Wales has prepared an architect's brief for the centre, which includes facilities such as a therapy room, swimming pool and fitness suite.

Because of his background, Dr Sharkawi will be on the panel of experts that will advise Treat as to whether the facilities are what is actually needed.

"The brief is organic and will keep changing until building work starts," said Melanie.

"There will be room to add things or change things, depending on what our experts tell us."

Another medical expert to join the charity is retired Morriston Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Rob Leyshon, who has become one of its trustees.

And to get feedback from the people of South West Wales, Treat will be holding a series of information events in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend starting later this month.

"We will be going out to the people rather than expecting them to come to us," added Melanie.

SOURCE: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Retired-specialist-joins-forces-Treat-Trust/article-2823337-detail/article.html

A Roadshow and Feedback Workshop is to be held at Blanco's Hotel, Port Talbot on Wednesday 24th November.

The intention of the Roadshow is to involved as many groups as possible from the local population in order that they might have the opportunity to offer their comments and suggestions on the services TREAT is intending to include in its centre.

Further similar events will be planned in Bridgend and Swansea to attract people from the whole of the region served by ABMU Local Health Board.

ROADSHOW & FEEDBACK WORKSHOP:
An Introduction to the TREAT Trust Wales Vision

ON: Wednesday 24th November 2010
AT: Blanco's Hotel, Green Park Industrial Estate, Port Talbot

Speakers will include:

• Mike Davies – Orthopaedic Surgeon, Director of TREAT Trust Wales
• Melanie Davies – Founder of TREAT & Author of 'Never Say Die'
• Chris Jones – Director, Boyes Rees Architects

AGENDA

11:30am – Registration & Coffee
12 midday – TREAT Presentations
1:00pm – Buffet Lunch
1:45pm – Workshop Sessions
3:45pm – Summary
4:00pm – Close & Tea

Come along and learn about TREAT Trust Wales.
Have YOUR say on the development and help us get TREAT right for YOU!

A Gala Charity Night held on 12th October raised over £2000 thanks to Owen Money, Wendy Kane & Barclays Bank.

The Charity Night was held at the Manor Park Hotel in Clydach and featured Wendy Kane and Owen Money along with some excellent supporting acts from Wales.

£1790 was raised, including £405 in an auction which will be matched by Barclays Bank in Morriston.

A HUGE Thank You to everyone that arranged the event and showed their support.

TREAT Trust are delighted to welcome Jane Boyes and Bob Leyshon to the Board of Trustees.

Jane Boyes, Founder and Managing Director of Boyes Rees Architects has accepted a position on the Board of Trustees for the TREAT Trust. She and the firm have won numerous awards in the fields of business, architecture and construction.

Of the appointment, Melanie Davies says:

"The contribution that Jane and her team have so far made to TREAT is very much appreciated, and you can see their work in the architect's impression they have created for the centre. We are very happy to have Jane on board and look forward to seeing their plans come to life."

Also joining the board is Bob Leyshon, an Orthopaedic Surgeon, recently retired following a consultant career in Swansea.

Further additional trustee appointments are envisaged in the near future.