A small committee from Crickhowell has shown its commitment to Cancer Research Wales by fundraising over £110,000 in ten years for one of Wales’ leading charities.

The team of eight has organised several events in this time, which have encouraged the community of Crickhowell to take part and show their support for Cancer Research Wales en masse. Demand for the events held by Hazel Thomas, Chairwoman of the Cancer Research Wales Crickhowell branch, and her team’s popular events has become so high that they often sell out well in advance.

Annual events include a Charity Ball with a raffle that, thanks to its popularity, sells out weeks beforehand, as well as an Afternoon Tea with a local celebrity. In previous years the Afternoon Tea saw BBC Wales presenters Claire Summers and Penny Roberts join the table. This year Dame Shân Legge-Bourke will join the Afternoon Tea on 7 October and speak about her time as Lord-Lieutenant, a position she held for 20 years, as well as her role of Lady-in-waiting to Princess Anne.

Another highly successful event has been the committee’s Charity Opera Evening, a collaboration with professional artists and singers. The first event raised a staggering £7,000 and thanks to popular demand, a second opera evening was organised and held in The Old Rectory Country Hotel and Golf Club in Llangatock, raising £5000.

Hazel Thomas, Chairwoman of the Crickhowell committee said:

“Cancer is something that now affects so many people in Wales. We all know someone who’s had cancer. It’s encouraging to see how much we can raise with the support of locals and we thoroughly enjoy organising these events. The fact that our fundraising benefits those who are affected by cancer is what keeps us going and inspires us to raise more.

“It truly shows that everyone cares about this cause and unites with us against cancer. We couldn’t have raised such large amounts over the years without the support and generosity of our local community.”

Locals have also opened their doors for the Committee to hold events for the Welsh charity. Together with the committee, locals Ansti and Chris Blackham opened up their garden for a hugely successful Hog Roast that was accompanied by a Caribbean band as they created an evening to remember.

Over the years, businesses around Crickhowell have contributed and donated to the cause. The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell has supported the committee’s annual luncheon for a decade, each time raising over £2,500, making a total of £25,000 as well donating to the committee’s raffles together with nine other hotels within the local area. The committee also receives annual donations from Bridge clubs in Crickhowell and Llangattock and the Rotary Club in Crickhowell has sponsored events on numerous occasions.

Katie Killoran, Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research Wales, said: “We are so grateful and thankful to this dedicated branch. It really shows that people are committed to our cause and no matter how big the community, they can raise vital funds that benefits cancer patients in Wales.

The funds raised by Hazel and her team go straight into the world-class research projects that are being run in Wales. Scientists here are among the very best in the world; every day they’re making progress into early diagnosis of cancer, treatment and cure.”

Cancer Research Wales is now a major force in the discovery of new precision treatments for cancer, offering early diagnosis and progress towards cures. All the money raised by fundraisers like Hazel and her team goes directly to the world-class research projects that are being run in Wales. One of these projects played a significant part in the recent decision of making HPV vaccinations available to young adolescent boys.