Carmarthenshire families Gwenno and Michael Davies with daughter Mabli and Zoe Brettle with her daughter Liwsi, were guests of honour at charity Cerebra’s Summer Raffle Draw, pulling out the top prize-winning tickets.
Cerebra is a Carmarthen based charity committed to helping brain injured children and their families to overcome challenges and discover a better life together. It’s a charity very close to Gwenno and Zoe’s hearts.
Zoe, from Cefneithin, explained:
“Liwsi was diagnosed at around 3 weeks old with two rare genetic disorders. This has come with a lot of challenges for Liwsi which haven’t been easy for us as a family. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. But she lights up our world and we are so proud of Liwsi every day. We are so grateful to have found Cerebra who have always been so helpful and caring”.
Gwenno, from Llandeilo, added:
“When Mabli was just over a year old, she had to undergo an emergency brain scan. While it helped explain some of the challenges she faces, it didn’t give us a clear diagnosis. We’re still waiting for answers from neurologists and genetic specialists. Not having a clear diagnosis has made things harder—emotionally, mentally, and financially. Many support services and charities require a specific diagnosis and navigating that barrier has been incredibly difficult for us as a family. Then we were introduced to Cerebra, and it’s truly been life changing. From the very first contact, every single person we’ve spoken to at Cerebra has been warm, compassionate, and incredibly supportive”
Liwsi and Mabli are both 20 months old, and their mums met by chance in a coffee shop. Since then, they have shared their experiences and supported each other. Both families have been helped by Cerebra’s services from the Sensory Toy Library, Parent Guides and information to their Sleep Advice Service and the Cerebra Innovation Centre.
In appreciation of the support they have received, the families have organised a fundraising raffle of their own and to date have raised over £4000 for Cerebra, Unique and SWAN/Genetic Alliance.
Last month both families also took part in Cerebra’s Relay Your Way, an epic journey across Britain championing the 1.5 million young people in the UK with disabilities, including half a million children living with brain conditions. Taking part in the Swansea stage at Exist Skatepark both girls carried the baton across the line in their Cerebra Whizzybugs. It was an emotional moment with their families bursting with pride.
Beverley Hitchcock, Cerebra’s Director of Research & Support Services said:
“We are delighted that Liwsi and Zoe, along with Mabli, Gwenno and Michael were able to join us today for our Summer Raffle Draw. It was lovely for our team to meet them, and it gave us the chance to say thank you in person for the support they have given us. It was heartwarming to hear how much they value our services and how we have made such a positive difference to Liwsi and Mabli – and the whole family. Our raffle draws are an easy way for people to get involved and make the work that we do possible”.
Gwenno and Zoe were delighted to be asked to draw the winning tickets:
“We’re incredibly lucky that Cerebra is local to us here in Carmarthenshire. It’s so rare to find a charity that not only offers practical help but also makes you feel truly seen, understood, and supported. Cerebra have brought hope, connection, and so much happiness to our families. We are endlessly grateful”.
Cerebra holds a Raffle Draw in the Summer and at Christmas with a top prize of £5,000, a 2nd prize of £1,500, a 3rd prize of £500 and 10 runners up prices of £100. The money raised funds Cerebra’s services which support thousands of families just like Zoe’s and Gwenno’s.
| [donate]
| Help keep news FREE for our readersSupporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism,then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. |
