A CHILDREN'S hospice has been awarded Charity of the Year following a public vote.

Following a public ballot - which saw 25,000 votes cast - Tŷ Hafan, based in Sully, is the inaugural Charity of the Year for travel provider Adventure Travel (formerly known as NAT Group).

Tŷ Hafan is a leading Welsh children’s charity - currently undergoing an essential refurbishment project - which provides comfort, care and support to children with life-limiting conditions, along with their families.

Adventure Travel will host fundraising activities for Tŷ Hafan throughout 2021, plus the charity will have a dedicated branded bus seen across South Wales.

Corporate Partnerships Manager for Tŷ Hafan, Kelly Dibble, said: “It’s been a trying time for Tŷ Hafan.

"Due to the pandemic much of our planned fundraising activity in 2020 came to a halt, but things are starting to look up.

"We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as Adventure Travel's charity partner and look forward to working with the team.

“This partnership will enable us to continue providing expert care through the crisis, keep our hospice doors open to children and young people requiring urgent and end-of-life care, as well as run virtual care services for those shielding from the virus at home.”

This is the first year of Adventure Travel having a 'Charity of the Year' but they had an 'overwhelming' response and plan to continue this annually.

Adventure Travel Managing Director, Adam Keen, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a charity or vote for their choice.

"The response we had was overwhelming.

"The voting was very close all the way through, with City Hospice Cardiff in second place and Noah’s Ark coming in third, but Tŷ Hafan came out on top and we’re delighted to have them ‘onboard’, so to speak, as our very first Charity of the Year.”

Tŷ Hafan won out of a shortlist of 28 charities nominated by the public.