An Aberystwyth business owner is raising funds for the “wonderful” midwifery team at Bronglais after the birth of his fourth child.

Julian and Anna Maria Shelley, owners of Gwesty Cymru and Cardigan and Celtic Bay guest houses, welcomed their fourth child, Samuel, into the world on Monday, 23 August at 8.04pm.

The parents are now raising funds for the Gwenllian Ward in Bronglais Hospital.

Julian said: “We are full of admiration for Gwenllian Ward. The facilities are wonderful and with this in mind we would like to raise funds to further their facilities for expecting mothers.

“The care we received was excellent. In fact we are regulars and have made many friends with the staff in many departments. We would like to thank Gwenllian Ward and the hospital as a whole.

“Everyone in all departments was incredibly patient, friendly and helpful and the level of care and expertise is excellent.

“A huge thank you goes out to all of the staff on Gwenllian Ward and Lisa the midwife, Liliana, Dr Datta, Hilda, Natalie, Roosha, Dr Seema, Lona, Carol plus radiographers, receptionists and everyone who we encountered along the journey to Samuel‘s birth.”

After donating £300 to the ward, they have raised £340 of their £500 fundraising total.

“The duration of labour was one and a half hours. It was quite interesting as it was almost like a dream like experience.

“At 4pm we were having hot chocolate in a cafe in town. The baby was born at 8.04pm and we were discharged at 10am in the morning. We went to the same cafe for hot chocolate with baby four and they were in shock.

“Every Thursday we book a table at our favourite restaurant Little Italy. We were joking with the owner that we would try and avoid missing a week. The new arrival will be joining us and therefore we in fact will not miss a week.

“We are quite well known as a family for going for walks every morning along the seafront between 7am and 8am.

“Anna Maria is a very strong girl and determined not to miss a day was out walking on the Wednesday after giving birth. People often joke that they are woken up by the sounds of our children’s voices. Many say it is a very happy sound.

“In fact along the windy streets of the old part of the town people often say that they hear us before they see us. I think we are quite an active family and that probably helped towards Anna Maria’s fast recovery after giving birth.”

Tara Nickerson, fundraising manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “We are grateful to Julian and Anna Maria for this wonderful gesture. The money raised will support services and activities on Gwenllian Ward above and beyond usual NHS expenditure.

“Congratulations on the birth of baby Samuel and thank you for your supporting your local NHS charity.”

To donate to the Gwenllian ward, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/julian-shelley-1