Fun, fire and fundraising turn up heat on scorching weekend
AS WALES sweltered in another two days of high temperatures, the weekend brought fiery, spectacular and fundraising fun to parts of the nation.
At ever-popular day-trip spot Barry Island, crowds flocked to the latest annual Isle of Fire event.
The impressive spectacle saw blazing torches, fiery circus stunts and colourful costumes as the night sky lit up on Saturday, in the first of a series of weekend events aimed at drawing visitors to the Vale of Glamorgan seaside spot.
Organisers hope the weekend’s attractions – which also included a lantern parade and a Viking ship with pirates – will help attract even bigger crowds than the 43,000 who attended last year’s well-attended weekenders.
Meanwhile, along the coast in Swansea, crowds were feeling the heat for a different reason – as they completed a bumper weekend of energetic fundraising.
Thousands took part in two separate events to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Around 2,200 women entered yesterday’s 5k and 10k Race for Life events at the city’s Museum Green. And on Saturday, more than 2,400 people took part in the charity’s Pretty Muddy event, which saw participants face a range of obstacles.
Suzanne Churchouse and Kirsty Singleton, from Port Talbot, signed up for Pretty Muddy in memory of their friend Shane Pitman, who died from stomach cancer at the age of 26.
They wore T-shirts featuring Shane’s picture and the symptoms of stomach cancer on the back.
Suzanne said: “Shane was a truly fantastic and inspirational person who couldn’t do enough for anyone. Unfortunately, he lost his short battle with stomach cancer at the age of 26. He had three children and was about to marry. We are taking part to keep Shane’s memory alive, as well as raising awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK.”
Katie Cooze, Cancer Research UK event manager for Swansea, said: “The weekend is expected to raise more than £140,000. Every day, around 52 people are diagnosed with cancer in Wales. Money raised, whether £10 or £100, will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer.”