We're thrilled to announce that Popham Kidney Support has received the largest single donation in our charity's history after being chosen as one of four charities supported by Merched y Môr, the first all-female Welsh crew to compete in the World's Toughest Row Atlantic Challenge.

Our charity has generously been awarded £13,000, the biggest individual donation we have received since our beginning in 2013. The funding will help us continue providing vital services to thousands of people affected by kidney disease across Wales.

Merched y Môr – Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton, Liz Collyer and Heledd Williams – completed the gruelling 3,000-mile (4,800km) Atlantic crossing, rowing from San Sebastián de La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua.

The team set off on 12 December 2025 and reached Antigua 50 days, 14 hours and 43 minutes later on 2 February 2026, raising more than £70,000 for four charities: Popham Kidney Support, Sea Trust Wales, Action for Children and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

With the help of Merched y Môr, we also secured a generous £5,000 donation from The Waterloo Foundation, bringing the total raised to £18,000. The Foundation supports organisations across Wales that help unpaid carers, improve employment opportunities, and tackle educational inequality.

Jo Popham, our CEO, said:

"First and foremost, a massive congratulations to the Merched y Môr team on everything they've achieved. Completing a challenge like this takes incredible determination, and we're incredibly grateful that they chose to support Popham Kidney Support along the way.

“Receiving the largest donation in our charity's history is a significant moment for us. Every day, we hear from people who need advice, emotional support, or simply someone who understands what they're going through. This donation will help us continue to be there for those people and their families across Wales.”

Denise Leonard, on behalf of Merched y Môr, said:

"Crossing the Atlantic was one of the hardest things we've ever done, both individually and as a group, but knowing we were doing it to support charities that make such a difference kept us going through the toughest days. Popham Kidney Support does incredible work for people and families affected by kidney disease across Wales, so we're delighted to be able to make this donation. To know it's the largest single donation the charity has ever received makes the achievement even more special for all of us."

Everyone at Popham Kidney Support would like to congratulate Denise, Helen, Liz and Heledd on completing such an extraordinary challenge and thank them for choosing to support our charity.

Feeling inspired? Whether you're planning your own fundraising challenge, taking part in an event or would simply like to make a donation, every contribution helps us continue supporting people living with kidney disease across Wales.

To find out how you can get involved, please call 0333 200 1285 or email enquiries@pophamkidneysupport.org.uk Alternatively, you can visit here.