Ex-Lord Mayor raises £105,000 for cancer cause

THE former Lord Mayor of Cardiff has announced the final total of her year of fundraising.

Monica Walsh, who was Lord Mayor for Cardiff in 2016-17, raised £105,000 for Cancer Research Wales.

She said: “I would like to thank all those who gave so generously to this worthwhile charity that is close to my heart.

“To have raised over £105,000 in a year is a great achievement and it’s also worth remembering that there’s more money still to come in from recently held events.

“I speak from personal experience when I say that many families are left devastated by this cruel disease and on their behalf I thank the organisers of fundraising events over the past 12 months for ensuring that this additional money is available to tackle cancer here in Wales.”

Corporate fundraiser for Cancer Research Wales, Katie Killoran, said: “We are delighted with the amount raised by the Lord Mayor this year. This money will significantly help fund world-class research in universities and hospitals throughout Wales into early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.”

A Dragon Boat Race at Atlantic Wharf in Cardiff Bay added £12,499 to the total.

A fellow councillor, Dilwar Ali, helped add to the total with a trek on the Great Wall of China.

Llandaff North Councillor Ali and his cousin Mohammed Abdul Salam joined a group of fundraisers.

Coun Ali said: “Walking along the Great Wall of China was a fantastic experience that I’ll never forget.

“I am delighted to say that we managed to raise £6,713 in sponsorship from a number of organisations and in recognition we ensured that their logos were prominently displayed on the T-shirts we wore during the trek.

“I even got the chance to lay a brick at the reconstruction site of the Badaling section of the wall.” Coun Walsh thanked him for his efforts. To find out more about the work carried out by Cancer Research Wales, visit www.cancerresearchwales.co.uk