Heroes and headlines from 2016
THE people of the Cynon Valley have done some incredible things in the past 12 months – and here are some of our favourite tales from 2016.
From individuals going the extra mile for charity, to children’s dreams coming true and a group of people ensuring people weren’t alone at Christmas, here are 12 times people from the Cynon Valley did amazing things this year. 1. Chris Hodges lost an incredible 20 stone in just over a year – making him literally half the man he was
Chris, who teaches at Ynysboeth Community Primary School in Abercynon, said the heartbreak of losing his mother was the main reason why he began to pile on the pounds – and he weighed 43st at his biggest.
But after joining a community slimming club in January 2015 Chris’ stunning transformation began – and he went on to shed an incredible 20st.
Speaking to us in January 2016, Chris said: “Now everything is different. I have more energy and I’ve had to buy loads of new clothes because they’re all too big.” 2. Madeleine Love visits ill daughter’s school five times a day to give her a taste of her favourite foods
This loving parent is determined that her tubefed little girl Berry, five, who has cerebral palsy, doesn’t miss out.
Staff at Caradog Primary School in Aberdare are not trained to feed her – so Madeleine makes the four-mile round trip five times a day. She puts a tiny taste of Berry’s favourite treats on her tongue as they’re being syringed into her stomach.
Speaking in March, Madeleine said: “I want her to try the wonderful flavours we all enjoy. I give her a pea-sized taste just enough for her to know what meal she’s having.” 3. Charity fundraiser Dean Ware speeds round the Top Gear track – despite having already cycled 190 miles
Cwmbach’s Dean is not afraid of a gruelling cycling challenge for charity – he’s clocked up thousands of miles over the last few years. And in April he was at it again.
The 35-year-old cycled 370 miles over almost 24 hours from the Cynon Valley to Surrey and back - to raise money for youngster Vinnie Jones who has severe genetic disorder type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
He even found the energy to speed round the Top Gear circuit – made famous by stars in reasonably-priced cars – in fourand-a-half minutes.
Dean said: “They thought I’d do it in about seven or eight minutes. I’m now on the leaderboard, down the bottom!” 4. Young Garin Morgan realises his dream of playing football at the Cardiff City Stadium after undergoing a huge operation
His family was told he would never be able to walk, but young Garin defied the odds and fulfilled his dream of playing football.
The Cwmbach youngster was born with a chronic form of cerebral palsy affecting his legs, hips and pelvis, and following a massive fundraising effort, he underwent £40,000 surgery in November 2014, to allow him to walk unaided.
A new ITV programme called What Would Be Your Miracle? was shown in April, on which Garin was visited by former Big Brother and The Voice host Emma Willis.
It included a surprise visit to Cardiff City Stadium where Garin has the chance to fulfil his dream of playing football and scoring a goal. 5. Matthew Sanigar, above, fulfilled his dream to drive the Hirwaun coal train from Aberdare station
Young Matthew adores all forms of transport and has hundreds of toy cars and trains – so when the chance came for him to drive the Hirwaun coal train in May he was over the moon.
The 11-year-old from Penywaun was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder at birth, and suffers from a variety of problems including complex heart defects, hearing loss and developmental issues.
His treat was organised by Starlight Children’s Foundation, the UK’s leading wish-granting charity for children with serious and terminal illness.
Shelley, Matthew’s