YOURS Teenager is thanked for charity work

A 13-year-old schoolgirl and a fundraising committee in Merthyr have received regional volunteer awards from Macmillan Cancer Support in recognition for their generous dedication.

Lowri Parsons, from Pontyclun, and the Macmillan Merthyr Fundraising Committee received their awards at the charity’s Volunteer Thank You Event at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales last weekend.

The awards are given in recognition of supporters who demonstrate going above and beyond to contribute to Macmillan through activities such as fundraising and raising awareness.

Lowri won the Young Supporter Award and started fundraising after her grandad had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Lowri has taken part in lots of different events including dressing as the Macmillan mascot Muggy at a local fete, recruiting walkers to the Llantrisant Walk and organising her own coffee morning which raised £450.

Lowri said: “I was very happy when I found out I’d won the award.

“Even if I hadn’t won, I’d still have been happy to have been chosen to take part.”

The Merthyr Fundraising Committee won the Committee Award in recognition of teamwork, inspiring others, achieving outstanding fundraising success.

The committee hosts an entire calendar of diverse events and collections, including luncheons, quiz nights, coffee morning and agricultural shows.

In 2016, the group organised a fashion show which was supported by Jeff Banks and Julien Macdonald and attracted over 1,200 people. To date, the committee has raised a staggering £765,356.

Alison Lewis, chairwoman of the committee, said: “We are so proud that this award has been given to the Merthyr Tydfil committee and would like to attribute it to the people of the area.

“It’s a very caring and generous community and people who don’t have an awful lot always contribute.”

To volunteer for Macmillan visit www.macmillan.org.uk/volunteer, email volunteering@macmillan.org.uk or call 0300 1000 200.