Celebrating 10 years of our giving community
2025 marks 10 years of Cylch Caerdydd – our global community of supporters who are connected by their vision to create long-lasting, meaningful change.
In 1883, the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire – predecessor to Cardiff University – opened with just 13 staff and 151 students. It was made possible because of the dedication and generosity of the Cardiff community who raised the funds to establish a university in Wales.
Philanthropic support remains as important today as it was in 1883. Donations to Cardiff University have an incredible impact on our ability to create and share knowledge, and to save, change, and enrich lives in Wales and beyond.
Over the last decade Cylch Caerdydd members have given more than £20m. This generosity has helped transform the futures of thousands of researchers and students, setting them on the path to future success.
Supporting early career researchers to turn ideas into impact
In 2018, Mat Clement (PhD 2013) received a Cylch Caerdydd funded Future Leaders in Neuroscience Research award. That funding fuelled his research into Alzheimer's disease which, seven years on, he is now applying to improving our understanding of brain tumours.
“When I received the Cylch Caerdydd funding I was a research associate looking at the impact of viral infections on Alzheimer’s disease. Donor funding allowed me to follow an idea, and gave me the techniques, skills and knowledge that I am now applying to brain tumours.
"Donors have been crucial for my research into the immune system’s role in the development of disease. I now want to develop immunotherapy for people with glioblastoma – the most common type of cancerous brain tumour in adults, which has a devastating prognosis of around just 12 months.
"These funds are so valuable as we now can test an idea and then use the data to go further. That seedcorn funding was vitally important for me to get my research going.”
“Thanks to Cylch Caerdydd donors and that initial research that support enabled, I’ve now been awarded further funding to establish myself as a leading brain cancer researcher.”
Mat Clement (PhD 2013)
Opening doors to the next level of study
Godfrey Kimathy (Occupational Therapy 2024-) was a recipient of the donor-funded Fanaka Scholarship, which enabled him to undertake his master’s degree at Cardiff.
"Donors have opened a door that seemed beyond reach – the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at Cardiff University.
"This generosity allows me to fully focus on my studies without the constant worry about finances. This freedom has reignited my vision to uplift those with additional needs.
"This experience is enriching my knowledge and empowering me to serve as a bridge, taking back insights that will help shape and strengthen the future of Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation services in Tanzania.”
“This support is truly transformative, not just for me, but also for the broader community I hope to impact through my journey in Occupational Therapy."
Godfrey Kimathy (Occupational Therapy 2024-)
Mapping gene fusion to better understand leukaemia
Ellie McCracken (MBiomed 2023, Medicine 2024-) is working on her PhD in cancer research. A Cylch Caerdydd funded grant helped equip her with the skills and data needed to explore better treatment for leukaemia.
“I began my PhD into Acute Erythroid Leukaemia (AEL) in 2024. At the same time, my friend was diagnosed with leukaemia. From the outset, there’s been no mistaking that my research impacts real lives.
"I am studying a gene fusion that is closely linked to a poor prognosis in young patients with AEL.
"This fusion may lead to the faulty development of red blood cells causing an accumulation of defective, immature red blood cells and a shortage of mature blood cells.
"The lack of oxygen being transported around the body leads to severe illness and rapid deterioration."
"Thanks to Cylch Caerdydd funding, I’m mapping cell development when this gene fusion is at work. If we can track the development of the disease, we can work towards a targeted treatment to stop the effects of this genetic mutation.”
Ellie McCracken (MBiomed 2023, Medicine 2024-)
Become a key part of Cardiff’s history and support its future
Cylch Caerdydd gifts provide support where it is needed most. This could mean driving cutting-edge research or providing financial stability to students.
As Cardiff’s philanthropic ambassadors, Cylch Caerdydd donors generously support key areas with a gift of £1,000 or more per academic year.
