The Mullany Fund E-mentoring Project creates a link between young people who are interested in a career in medicine, with young professionals who can encourage and support them to succeed in their chosen field.

Year 11 pupils, Carwyn Harris, Charlotte James and Rhiannon Ireland all have mentors who they speak to via email, in a safe, secure and supported environment.

They are able to ask questions and raise concerns with medical professionals, who have a unique insight that they would otherwise not have access to.

Cwrt Sart Head Teacher Alan Rowlands said “The mentors have ‘been there – done that’ so they know exactly how the pupils feel. They can help them stay on track when things get hard, and steer them in the right direction when they’re faced with crucial decisions.”

“Pupils can access mentor support at a time convenient to them, and their mentors. As they don’t meet formally it is easier and quicker to interact, and more environmentally friendly!”

The Mullany Fund e-mentoring project was launched in schools throughout Neath Port Talbot in September, in partnership with Careers Wales.

Five other local schools are also taking part in the project, with other schools on board ready to start in January.

Ray Collier, Chief Executive of Careers Wales West said “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the Mullany Fund on the e-mentoring project.”

“Our Careers Advisers are able to provide a wealth of knowledge about qualifications and career routes to young people, and the e-mentoring project is an invaluable addition giving an insight that only professionals in the field have.”

A spokesperson for the Mullany Fund said “We are delighted to be able to reinvest back in to the local community where a lot the money raised over the last three years has came from.”

“What happens in the future depends on what we do today.

The young people of Neath Port Talbot have a huge amount of potential and talent, and the aim of the project is to support pupils to lead productive and fulfilling lives.”

“There are no time constraints on these partnerships. Pupils have the support until they reach their goals, and beyond. We are hoping that pupils of today become the mentors of tomorrow.”

• For further information on becoming involved in the e-mentoring project contact the Mullany Fund at info@themullanyfund.org

• The Mullany Fund Ementoring Project was launched at the start of the 2011-2012 academic year. Phase one of the project has resulted in 23 local schoolchildren gaining an e-mentor who is a successful healthcare professional such as a doctor, a surgeon, a physiotherapist or allied profession working in the UK.

• The charity will be inducting a second batch of schools into the scheme in the New Year and are currently inviting schools to apply.

• For more information on Careers Wales, please visit www.careerswales.com

For all media enquiries related to this press release please contact Cath Harris, MGB PR on 01792 460200 or Cath@mgbpr.com

The walk starts and ends at Cwmgors RFC’s clubhouse, and following its completion, a fundraising auction will then be held.

Lots include a football signed by Premier League side Swansea City as well as signed items from rugby teams Sale Sharks, Gwent Dragons and Harlequins.

It will also feature entertainment, with a performance from Jonnie Owen of Welsh rockers Last Republic.

Event organiser Kevin Willaims said “The response has been fantastic.  We’ve billed the walk as a family event so people of all ages can get involved.”

“What’s amazing is that we haven’t had to stick up many posters, word of mouth has got around really quick and people have bent over backwards to help out”.

The Mullany Sponsored Walk takes place at Cwmgors RFC, Brynamman Road, Cwmgors, Neath Port Talbot, at 2pm on Saturday 8th October 2011.

Mullany Fund supporter Rony Seamons is competing for the charity in Wales’s first Ironman competition.

Amazingly, his journey to becoming an Ironman started three years ago when he decided to run a half Marathon for the The Mullany Fund.

“Three years ago I decided to run a half Marathon in order to raise money for The Mullany Fund in memory of Cath and Ben. Since then it has inspired me to go and take on bigger challenges each year.”

“This year, having done a few triathlons, I decided to sign up for the first Ironman in Wales. ”

“It has been a long hard struggle in the pool, on the road and in the gym, but hopefully on Sunday 11th Spetmeber 2011 I will be able to call myself an Ironman!”

“I know many people have said they’d like to sponsor me for taking on this challenge, and so the obvious charity for me was the Mullany Fund.”

Rony’s message to his supporters is “Please dig deep and donate now. The Fund’s Ementoring programme is a fantastic initiative and will hopefully benefit a whole new generation of budding doctors and physios”.

To sponsor Rony in his quest to become and Ironman, please visit Rony’s Just Giving Page

Located on beautiful Pembrokeshire Wales, Ironman Wales takes place on Sunday, September 11th 2011. Pembrokeshire is known for the breathtaking landscape of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, featuring miles of sandy beaches and a spectacular coastline. Ironman Wales is one not to be missed!

Each year, the Mullany Fund awards two £1000 prizes, one to an outstanding student of physiotherapy at UWE, and the other to a medical student at Swansea University’s School of Medicine.

The awards aim to recognise, promote and reward exceptional student commitment. Chris was nominated by his tutors in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences for his academic achievements, including gaining top marks in one of his final modules, and also for his contributions as a student representative.

Chris said, “My main contributions have come through being Chartered Society of Physiotherapy representative – I presented to each of the first year groups with the aim of increasing membership. I also spoke at the CSP annual representative conference (ARC) about how the profession might be moved forward which I felt was beneficial and allowed the student voice to be considered. I was also part of a team that organised a Haiti fundraiser which raised £700.”

Steve West, UWE Vice Chancellor said, “The Mullany Prize for Excellence is a fitting tribute to an outstanding student. Ben Mullany was very highly regarded by all the staff and students who worked with him and it is wonderful that his family have chosen to make such a generous and far-sighted gesture that will make such a positive difference to future physiotherapy students at the University. This is a great legacy in memory of Ben and Cath Mullany.”

A charity spokesperson said, “We are delighted for Chris to receive the award. He has demonstrated a dedication and enthusiasm for physiotherapy, striving to achieve the best not just for himself but for others as well and this quality makes him a very worthy recipient of The Mullany Fund award for 2011.”

The Mullany Fund supporter Catrin Jones is taking on the Great Scottish Swim Challenge to raise money for the Mullany Fund.

The Great Scottish Swim is part of the Great Swim series that consists of 5 open water swimming challenges across the UK.  The Great Scottish Swim is Scotland’s biggest outdoor swimming event.

It is an unique 2km swim down the entire length of Strathclyde loch situated in Strathclyde Country Park, the venue of the 2014 Commonwealth Games triathlon. The swim takes place on 24th September 2011.

Unlike an indoor swimming pool, a stretch of open water is a wild and uncontrolled environment, which adds markedly to the challenge.

While swimming up and down a 25m pool can be boring outdoor swimming can be incredibly exciting and there’s often the added sense of battling with, and overcoming the elements.

It is a fantastic challenge and Catrin’s first ever open water event.

You can sponsor Catrin via her just giving page
www.justgiving.com/catrinLilwen

The Mullany Fund has been shortlisted for a 2011 South Wales Business Award. Mullany Ementoring, the project designed to promote social mobility within the community, is a finalist in the Social Enterprise of the Year category.

The winner will be announced at a black tie ceremony, taking place on Friday 16th September at The Bear Hotel in Cowbridge.

The awards will be presented by Welsh television and radio personality Sara Edwards.

Each category winner will receive a certificate, bottle of wine and half a day of marketing support.

The overall winner of the South Wales Business Awards 2011 will also receive a full business review from a University of Glamorgan academic (valued at over £1,000).

The awards ceremony will include: wine on arrival, three course meal and awards presentation. Tickets are now available from the South Wales Business Awards website. Tickets are £50 each or a table of ten is £450.

The Ementoring Project

Our unique web platform creates links between school pupils who are interested in a career in medicine or physiotherapy, and an undergraduate or professional studying or working in that area.

Conducted via email, it offers online content and high security, ensuring that mentees and mentors are safe, supported and engaged.

This project will support young people in years 9-13 from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in studying medicine or allied healthcare higher education courses.

The Mullany Fund EMentoring Project

This rugby match, which has now become an annual fixture at Cwmgors RFC, will be played between Cwmgors and Cwmtawe School Old Boys in remembrance of Ben Mullany who spent much of his youth playing for both teams.

Speaking about the match, Ben’s old trainer and good friend, Kevin Williams said ‘Ben was part of all of our lives, he was a good friend to us all and this is our way of showing how much he meant to us’.

‘It is true that the players are all a little older and a little less agile but it is something that none of them would want to miss. Everyone is so supportive, it is a testament of how much Ben touched our lives’.

The date has been chosen to coincide with Wales verses New Zealand autumn international which will be shown on the big screen in the club with complimentary food. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by local band ‘Peep Show’.

Entrance is £6 and payable on the day.

All money raised will be used the fund the work of The Mullany Fund, Cath and Ben’s Memorial Charity which works to widen participation and promote excellence in healthcare education.

The internationally acclaimed,  Morriston Orpheus Male Voice Choir with guest soprano Ros Evans will perform at this uplifting concert in the heart of the community in which Cath and Ben grew up, lived and worked. All money raised will be used to fund our work, widening participation and promoting excellence in healthcare education.

Venue: Tabernacle Chapel, PONTARDAWE

Date:     Saturday 4^th December 2010

Time:    7pm

Price:    £6

Info:      info@themullanyfund.org

Buy Your Tickets Online Now

Tickets are also available at

• Pontardawe Library, Holly Street, Pontardawe
• Tabernacle Chapel, Pontardawe

Katie Hurst received the £1000 cheque as the winner of the educational charity’s 2010 prize at a presentation evening.

An emotional Miss Hurst said: “I can’t really describe how it feels.

“I’m very humbled and think it is fantastic.”

Second-year Swansea University School of Medicine student Miss Hurst becomes The Mullany Fund’s second-ever recipient of the prize for excellence.

Professor Rhys Williams, dean of medicine, said the award was thoroughly deserved.

“In addition to her studies, Katie was also president of the MedSoc society and carried out her duties with enthusiasm and flair”, he added.

“She has been instrumental in many of the school’s extra-mural activities.”

“The philosophy at Swansea is to attract, train and retain doctors that understand the human side of medicine, as well as the scientific, and Katie Hurst embodies that philosophy.”

“The families of Ben and Catherine decided to set up a charitable organisation in their name.”

“Sometimes out of tragedy comes something good, which is part and parcel of the human spirit.”

Their families hope The Mullany Fund will ensure that top professions such as medicine and physiotherapy are not just accessible to the affluent.

The Mullany Fund spokesperson said: ”We hope one day each and every one of the UK schools of medicine and physiotherapy are recipients of Mullany Fund Support, thereby securing a legacy for Cath and Ben”.

Last year, 37-year-old Swansea medical student Nathan West won the award.