Swansea prison worker and team step up for Worldwide Cancer Research fundraiser

Andy Vaughan was joined by colleagues and friends Steve Williams and David Williams as well as daughter Lyuda for a two-day trek along the Gower Peninsula, Wales, in October, with donations still coming in.

Like so many, Andy knows first-hand the devastation cancer can cause, he lost his father James to prostate cancer, who was just 59 when he passed away.

Andy, who is from Swansea, said:

“One of the reasons we decided to do this for Worldwide Cancer Research was the shared hope of a day where nobody loses anyone to cancer. It’s a horrible disease that impacts so many people, we were reminded of this during the walk too”.

Worldwide Cancer Research currently funds the most innovative discovery research ideas, in any location around the world, to start new cancer cures, explore ways to prevent cancer and discover more effective and kinder treatments for patients.

Andy added: “We had so many people coming up to us, telling us their stories. That’s what this fundraiser is all about, helping people who are impacted by cancer and so many have been.

“We had a little girl come up to us to give us a donation during the walk, just outside of Swansea, her and her family noticed our bright yellow Worldwide Cancer Research t-shirts.

“At one of the stops we had an older gentleman in a pub give us £20, he told us all about his own story, how he lost his wife to cancer. Everyone wants to do their bit to help and I would like to thank everyone for supporting our fundraiser”.

Starting in Llanelli, the team managed 29 miles on the first day and completed the remaining 31 miles on day two, finishing their trek in Swansea.

Andy, David and Steve have worked together in the prison service for 25-years and currently work at HMP Parc in Bridgend. Each year they select a charity to raise money for and found that Worldwide Cancer Research was a cause everyone wanted to get behind.

Lyuda set up their online donation page, their employers G4S have agreed to match-fund the first £500 raised, so many from the local community have donated and sent messaged of encouraging, while some of the inmates donated from their prison wages, contributing £500.

Andy said: “The idea just started as a way to come together make a difference. In my place of work, I’ve known so many people who have been impacted by cancer, lost their lives, even very young people, it’s a problem that everyone need to come together to fix.

“That’s another reason we wanted to raise money for Worldwide Cancer Research, because they fund research anywhere in the world, and don’t focus on only one cancer”.

Donations are still coming in, with Andy hoping to reach £2,500 soon, with planning already starting for next year’s walk.

Andy added: “I’m only 60, so I’m still young enough and enjoy the walk. It was great to do it with old friends and my daughter this year, it really is such a stunning walk. We had amazing weather given the time of year too, we were panicking a bit, because the week before the forecast was looking terrible, but it all worked out in the end”. 

Worldwide Cancer Research currently funds more than 100 research projects, worth a collective £20 million, with the potential to change the course of cancer research.

Helen Zollinger, Worldwide Cancer Research’s Events and Community Manager, says:

“We’re honoured that Andy decided to raise money for Worldwide Cancer Research, I would like to thank him, Lyuda, David and Steve for their amazing efforts.

“Worldwide Cancer Research prides itself on funding the most innovative, bold, and world-leading discovery research that will help us better understand cancer and find new treatments and cures.

“We call our supporters Curestarters because their dedication and generosity are the reason we are able to fund potential breakthroughs that will help to save lives.”

#CancerResearchUK #GowerPeninsula

The marsh ponies are also enjoying the last bits of light before night sets in

#gowerpeninsula #Cymru

The #runnerbeans in the photo below are last year's July crop. This year's plants are only just reaching the top of the trellis on which they grow. There are flowers, but none are turning into beans yet!
I conclude, with huge disappointment, the growth is at least one month behind last year's growth. [planted the same week as I planted them last year, same trellis/canes].

#gardensofmastodon #runnerbeans #cottagegarden #countryliving #organicgardening #retiredandlovingit
#gowerpeninsula

A trip to the south side of #gowerpeninsula to the village of #Mumbles today to buy fresh Hake.

I'll be baking it for dinner this evening and serving it with homemade Parsley Sauce, [parsley grown in my garden], peas from my garden and Gower new potatoes.