Charity started by three neighbours finishes after 20 years of fundraising
A CHARITY set up by three neighbours who said they were given a second chance after beating cancer has come to an end after 20 years of fundraising.
Mansel Thomas, Catherine Millin and Huw Williams all lived within a few yards of each other in the Carmarthenshire village of Mynyddygarreg, near Kidwelly.
All three developed cancer around the same time in the early 2000s and soon after diagnosis and treatment they met at the village rugby club in 2004 to discuss the possibility of starting a cancer charity.
At that moment Ail Gyfle/second Chance was born and in the years since it has raised more than £100,000 towards the battle against cancer.
A committee was formed whose members have been, in one way or another, all affected by cancer.
Following a series of small fundraising events, the charity officially launched with a concert on September 17, 2004 at the rugby club, featuring Gwendraeth Valley singer Gwenda Owen and her daughter Geinor.
All the money raised by Ail Gyfle/ Second Chance was donated to local hospitals, Carmarthen’s Glangwili, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Swansea’s Morriston and Singleton.
It also helped Llanelli’s Bryngwyn Hospice and Ty Cymorth in Carmarthen, the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, Ty Hafan and the Golau Cancer Foundation.
From countless coffee mornings, golf tournaments and special evenings, to a fundraising book about the village of Meinciau, the charity pulled in an extraordinary amount of donations for cancer causes across the region.
Sadly, both Mr Williams, who was the charity’s first chair, and secretary Mrs Millin have passed away.
Mansel Thomas, the third founding member, has been the charity’s events organiser since the start.
Despite the tremendous and tireless efforts of the small but dedicated band, the fundraising journey has come to an end with the decision to close the charity.
Looking back over the years, Mr Thomas said: “Our first donation of £2,500 was in February, 2005, to the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital in Swansea and on the same day another cheque of £2,500 was given to the Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli. By coincidence the South West Wales Cancer Centre received the charity’s final donation of £3,700, which was made in April.”
Speaking about calling time on the charity, Mr Thomas said: “Most of the current ageing committee has been there from the very beginning. Nesta Thomas was our diligent and conscientious treasurer from the outset. The first chairman and founder member was the late and exuberant Huw Williams and he was succeeded by the enthusiastic Ieuan Hughes, who will always be remembered by his huge contribution of raffle prizes,
especially to the golf tournaments that were organised.”
He added: “Our last chairman was Gethin Davies, who organised a bicycle run from Caernarfon Castle to Kidwelly Castle which raised over £7,000. Less ambitious cycle rides had been previously done in the local area. The charity was fortunate to have the sound hand of Janice Davies, who took over as secretary following the tragic death of Catherine Millin, who battled on bravely in her fight against the disease.”
He added: “The trustees and committee wish to thank everyone who has supported Ail Gyfle/ Second Chance, including Kidwelly Town Council. It has been a fascinating journey for such a small community but a journey that has made a contribution in the fight against cancer.”