Thrones star helps walkers raise £30k for charity
A CHARITY dedicated to fighting prostate cancer – the most common cancer in Welsh men – is set to get a £30,000 boost thanks to a mass charity walk.
A record number of people took part in the third Big Walk from Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to Kenfig Hill RFC in Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend, last month to raise the funds for Prostate Cymru.
North Cornelly-born actor and Game of Thrones baddie Owen Teale led off the walkers and the charity now says it expects to have raised more than £30,000 when the final sponsorship money has been submitted this month.
Prostate Cymru president David Brace – who is also president of the Dunraven group of companies in Bridgend and owner of Dunraven Stud in Pyle – said he was thrilled with the community spirit which has seen the 30mile event grow from humble beginnings.
“I was absolutely delighted with the turn out for The Big Walk for Prostate Cymru this year,” he said.
“A record number took part in the walk itself, 279 compared to 60 for the first walk in 2014.
“We have seen a huge rise in awareness and to see a whole community support this cause, makes me feel proud to be a member of such a community.”
At the launch of the Big Walk last month, Owen, 55, who played Ser Alliser Thorne in Game of Thrones, said: “Talking to people and seeing old friends has been amazing, a lot of memories have been coming back.
“My brothers no longer live in Kenfig Hill and I’m in danger of losing touch, so when I was invited to do this by David Brace, I thought, ‘what a chance.’”
Owen went to school with former Wales international and Prostate Cymru fundraiser Ray Giles, who is an ambassador for the charity alongside many rugby greats including Warren Gatland, Ieuan Evans and Gareth Edwards.
David said he is pleased that the profile of Prostate Cymru, which raises awareness of prostate can- cer and establishes stateof-the-art treatments, has been raised through the Big Walk.
He said he particularly wished to thank Chris Leyshon and the other volunteers and organising team from Kenfig Hill RFC.
David thanked the community who embraced the event plus the following businesses that gave their support: Trederwen Springs,Tregroes Waffles, Peters Pies, Woodyz Pizza, Porthcawl The Aubrey Arms,The Old Post, Duke of Wellington, Heronston Hotel, Kenfig Hill RFC, The Principality Stadium, David Baker, Benny’s Chilled Meats, Express Motors, Peter & Anthea Dennis, Audi Sinclair, Rhino Teamwear, You Want Some Productions, Glamorgan Cricket, and Hi Tide, Porthcawl.