We are excited to announce the appointment of two new Latch patrons
Former Wales, British and Irish Lions and Scarlets rugby legend Jonathan ‘Fox’ Davies has been appointed as an Honorary Patron of Latch, alongside Sian Howell, a longstanding dedicated volunteer, Latch parent and former Trustee of our charity.
The public announcement of the new Patrons’ appointment was made on the final day of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month at Latch’s special brand refresh reception event held at RBC Brewin Dolphin in Cardiff on 30 September.
Jonathan has been actively supporting Latch over the past year, with his ‘JD13’ Testimonial Year raising an incredible £40,000.
Jonathan has been actively supporting Latch over the past year, with the retired rugby player’s ‘JD13’ Testimonial Year with the Scarlets raising an incredible £40,000.
From June 2024 to May 2025, Jonathan’s Testimonial Year featured a series of high-profile fundraising events in Llanelli, Cardiff and London uniting fans, former teammates and supporters across the globe.
“I am extremely proud that Latch was my chosen charity for my testimonial year. The work they carry out not only at the University Hospital Wales but across all of South Wales is invaluable and being able to support the continued amazing work is a very proud moment for me and my family. I would like to thank my committee for all of their work throughout the year and to everyone who supported the year. Diolch.”
Jonathan 'Foxy' Davies
Rugby legend
In addition to raising this significant sum, Jonathan used his Testimonial Year as a platform to highlight Latch’s work.
Sian Howell retired as a Trustee of Latch in the summer of 2025, after nearly forty years of dedicated service to the charity.
Sian Howell retired as a Trustee of Latch in the summer of 2025, after nearly forty years of dedicated service to the charity. During this time she founded the Barry branch of Latch which gave consistent support to the charity’s fundraising activities over many years.
Sian has been involved with Latch from the early days of the charity’s establishment at Llandough Hospital in the Vale of Glamorgan in the 1980s when her daughter Bethan underwent treatment under the care of Dr Eileen Thompson - who was the driving force behind the formation of the charity. Very sadly Bethan died of Leukaemia and was for many years the face of Latch on the charity’s posters and brochures. Sian’s commitment to the charity over so many years is an acknowledgement of the support that Bethan and family received.
Susan Gwyer-Roberts DL, Chair of Latch said: “On behalf of the Board I am delighted to welcome Sian and Jonathan as our new Honorary Patrons.
We are grateful to them for their valued contributions to Latch. We look forward to working with Sian and Jonathan in their new roles to raise further awareness of childhood cancer and Latch’s vital bespoke support services in Wales.”
