Tonka's Trek - Saturday 14th March 2026

Plan of the day

9.30-10.15am

Registration at Outpatients Dept., Velindre Cancer Centre, & T-shirt collection

This will be in surname order. We have the use of the Outpatients Dept. and Café by the Main Entrance. There are toilets available too.

10.30am

Muster for Group photo

This will be in Velindre Cancer Centre Car Park before setting off.

11.00am

Walk to start from Velindre Hospital

Example Items to bring: water, snacks, mobile, medication if applicable.

3.00-7.00pm

Food available to purchase at Pontypridd RFC, Sardis Road

Head over to the Stand area (through the gates to the side of the clubhouse) where the function room will be (under the Stand) and the bar will be open.

4.50pm

Wales v Italy game will be on the big screen in the function room

Ireland v Scotland game will also be on beforehand, and the England v France game afterwards will be on in the Graham Gittins Bar Lounge, adjoining the function room.

6.50-7.00pm

Muster in the function room for Auction

7.00-8.00pm

Auction & Raffle

8.00-11.00pm

Live Band

‘Superhans’ & DJ

11.00pm

Coach transport back to Llantwit Major

Prior booking (first come first served basis) & payment required.

Great news for the people who intend to join the party after the trek. We've managed to book bus transportation back to Llantwit Major bus station, leaving Pontypridd Rugby Club at 11pm. Spaces are limited and we will be charging £10 per person, with all profits going towards the Velindre Fundraising pot. To book your seat on the bus, please email tonkastrek1@gmail.com and Claire will advise you of availability and how to pay.

Pontypridd Rugby Club is very close to Pontypridd railway station for those either intending to leave early or if travelling somewhere other than Llantwit Major.

HURRY! We've already had lots of you asking about the bus so we're expecting these seats to be snapped up quickly.

Arriving by Car

Please park at the old Whitchurch Hospital site

The new Velindre Cancer Centre is currently under construction. We have agreed with Velindre that cars can be parked here, inc. overnight if required.

Arriving by Train

The local train station is Coryton

Coryton is a walkable distance to Velindre Cancer Centre and the old Whitchurch Hospital site. Pontypridd has direct link to Cardiff, and is a 5mins walk from Clubhouse.

Parking at Pontypridd

Sardis Road car park, opposite the Clubhouse, is free after 10am until 7pm on a Saturday

Please note this car park is then closed with a barrier until Monday.

Millfield car park on Mill Street

100yds away from the Clubhouse, is open 24hrs and no barriers. Cars can be left overnight here if required.

Save the date

My story

Ringing the bell at Velindre Cancer Centre

Following a short illness that began in October 2024, my world was turned upside down when, in January 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 3, Grade 3 Ampullary Cancer - an aggressive and rare form of the disease. Hearing those words felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath us. This news obviously came as a huge shock to our entire family, and in those first few days and weeks, it felt as though time stood still and everything we knew and loved was suddenly uncertain.

From that moment on, life became a whirlwind of hospitals, tests, scans and procedures. I underwent two minor operations at the Heath Hospital, followed by a major nine-hour surgery at Morriston Hospital that tested every ounce of my strength and courage. Then came four long months of intense chemotherapy at Velindre Cancer Centre. I've had some hidings during my rugby career but this was by far the hardest thing that I've had to endure. It was absolutely gruelling - physically, mentally, emotionally - but through it all, I was surrounded by an incredible circle of love and support from my family and friends that gave me the strength to get through those darkest days, and I will be forever humbled and grateful.

Then, in October 2025, came the news that we had been praying for - my scans showed no further evidence of cancer, and my blood tumour markers had returned to normal - I felt a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Although I'm not completely out of the woods and still face minor complications, I am now on the long but hopeful road to recovery and have started my 5-year surveillance under Velindre. I'm learning to embrace my 'new normal' with a heart full of appreciation for every single day.

Throughout this journey, I have seen first-hand the dedication, care, and brilliance of our NHS. The staff at Velindre Cancer Centre - known as the Hospital of Hope - truly live up to that name. Their compassion and commitment have changed my life. They are heroes in every sense of the word. That's why I want to give something back.

Fundraising for Velindre

Fundraising for Velindre Cancer Charity

Velindre Cancer Charity is the official charity of Velindre University NHS Trust, and is a hugely deserving charitable organisation that cannot survive without the help of fundraising and donations. They have been providing specialist treatment and supportive care to cancer patients and families for well over 65 years. The money that is raised for Velindre helps to fund incredible groundbreaking research and clinical trials, cutting edge treatments, the most amazing nurses, equipment and so much more.

It is for this reason that on Saturday 14^th March 2026, we will be taking on Tonka's Trek - walking from Velindre Cancer Centre to Pontypridd RFC, Sardis Road approx. 10 miles along the Taff Trail - to raise vital funds for Velindre. After the journey I've endured, this walk will be a celebration of life, hope and gratitude - a small step compared to the mountain I've already climbed.

T-shirts

T-Shirts

The deadline for ordering T-shirts from the online shop passed on Monday 12^th January 2026, but T-shirts are still available to purchase and all profits will go to Velindre Cancer Charity.

If you are late to the party, we do have limited sizes available in stock. Please email tonkastrek1@gmail.com with your contact details and required T-shirt size. If successful, please make a donation of £15 on our page stating your name and "T-shirt" to secure your order.

All ordered and paid for T-shirts will be available in the week leading up to the Trek or at Registration. Further details to follow in due course.

The route

Raising funds for Velindre Cancer Charity

My story

Fundraising for Velindre Cancer Charity

T-Shirts

The route follows the Taff Trail from Velindre to Pontypridd RFC

Approximately 10 miles