Fundraiser is charity’s young volunteer of year
A SCHOOLGIRL inspired by her “Bampi” has been named a cancer charity’s young volunteer of the year – for fundraising since she was just eight years old.
Now aged 12, Megan CrombieDavies has already been raising funds for Cardiff-based Tenovus Cancer Care for the past four years.
The youngster was left speechless when her name was called out at the special awards ceremony by charity patron ITV Wales news presenter Carl Edwards.
She began fundraising after her Bampi, John Davies, died of cancer four years ago.
A year later, her “Mamgu”, Debbie, was rediagnosed with cancer.
Together the pair began going to the Sing With Us choir in Megan’s home town, Bridgend.
The Brynteg Comprehensive School pupil has also planned her own cake sales, taken part in bucket collections, dressed up and completed both the five- and 10-mile Goodnight Walks.
Helen said the fundraising began with Megan organising strawberry teas, and then she began asking to take part in more and more events. “It just grew and grew,” she said. Mum Helen said that joining the choir provided her daughter with important help.
“It gave Meg the support she needed because she lost ‘her right arm’ when my dad died. With my mum then being poorly it gave my mum the strength as well.
“They both found a new family that was there for them that understood them and didn’t need to ever ask how they were.” Helen said that despite them both going through the grieving process she couldn’t relate to how her daughter was feeling.
“I couldn’t click into how she was feeling even though I was going through the same emotions. But the two of them came together and Tenovus got them through it.
“They are both strong and loving people that just keep going and really, in my eyes, it made them both stronger and they stand united.”
Megan has recently given a presentation to her schoolmates about cancer and fundraising.
Helen said it was the first time she’d seen her daughter speechless when her name was called out at the awards ceremony on Thursday night at the Principality Stadium.
“She’s still gobsmacked. She’s been looking at it and polishing the trophy,” she said yesterday.
“The way she was looking at last night was that they were all winners. She was really shocked that her name was called out because she’s not been involved as long as the others.
“She just wants to say thanks to Tenovus for being there for her.”