Nightingale House Hospice has two big events on the calendar this August, alongside a charity cricket match in aid of Tŷ Gobaith. Together, they reflect a busy summer for fundraising across Wrexham.
Kidsfest Kicks off the Summer
Kidsfest, a brand-new music festival for children and families, launched on Saturday 1 August on Llwyn Isaf. Wrexham County Borough Council brought it to the city. Notably, the council collaborated with Nightingale House Hospice. The festival offered live music, hands-on activities, street food and crafts. Donations to the hospice were encouraged upon entry, with sponsorship from Read Construction.
Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Business, Economy and Tourism, said school holidays can be a busy and expensive time for families. Consequently, a low-cost event with live music felt like something really positive. He said it gave the city a proper festival atmosphere.
Communities Rally Behind North Wales Young Carers
Credu WCD Young Carers marked this year’s Carers Week theme, “Building Carer Friendly Communities,” with three Community Day events across North Wales, held at Colwyn Bay Rugby Club, Rhuddlan Playing Fields and Hwb, and Wrexham’s Erddig. Each event drew on local partners, including Play and Youth Teams, Youth Cymru, Scout leaders, the Fire Brigade and Outside Lives, alongside circus workshops, a drumming session, a silent disco, ponies and reptiles. Play sat at the heart of it all, funded by the National Lottery with support from Rhuddlan Town Council and LL Estates.
Sally Duckers, Team Leader for Credu WCD Young Carers, said Carers Week is a chance to celebrate unpaid carers, adding: “Supporting Young Carers to thrive can be a whole community effort.” A 2026 SHRN report found 1 in 6 Welsh pupils identify as having a caring role, with young carers missing an average of 35 school days a year.
Balloons and Cricket to Follow
Later in the month, the Oswestry Balloon Carnival returns to Cae Glas Park on 22 and 23 August. Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID are organising it. Hot air balloons will take to the skies, weather permitting. There will also be live entertainment and interactive activities. Food and craft stalls are free to attend, with voluntary donations encouraged.
Elise Jackson, the hospice’s Events and Campaigns Manager, said the Balloon Carnival means so much to Nightingale House. This is partly because of the atmosphere it creates. It is also because of the generosity it inspires. It costs £5,662,680 a year to keep Nightingale House going. That is equivalent to £15,514 every day, so every donation genuinely counts.
Meanwhile, cricketers are aiming for a big total in aid of Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices. A charity match takes place at Brymbo Cricket Club on Sunday 30 August with a select North Wales side taking on a squad of South African players from around the UK. They hope to avenge their 2025 defeat. The family-friendly event is free. It includes a raffle, barbecue, bar and children’s activities alongside the cricket, starting at midday at College Hill, Tanyfron.
Brymbo chairman Jason Underwood said the charity provides invaluable care and support to children living with life-threatening conditions. Hospice fundraiser Bethan Young will be there on the day. Volunteers are wanted to sell raffle tickets and steward. Anyone interested can contact [email protected] or 01691 671671.
Fundraising Events Are So Important
Fundraising events like these matter more than ever this year, with the cost of running Nightingale House continuing to rise. Every ticket, raffle entry and voluntary donation contributes directly to free care for patients and families across a catchment stretching from Wrexham and Flintshire to Barmouth and the border towns. Therefore, organisers are keen to see as many local people as possible turn out across all three events.
Anyone unable to attend in person can still support the hospice by donating online or by getting in touch about volunteering opportunities. Meanwhile, businesses interested in sponsoring future events are encouraged to contact the hospice’s fundraising team directly. Together, these events show how much a community can achieve when it comes together around a shared cause.
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