A children’s rugby team from Barry was last week named Young Supporters of the Year by the terminal illness charity Marie Curie at their first ever Fundraising Excellence Awards ceremony in London.
The awards were held to celebrate and thank the many people who have shown tremendous hard work and commitment to support Marie Curie through various fundraising activities and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to help the charity provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families.
Barry Mini Bombers under 12s was nominated for the award after the team took on a sponsored cycle at their local Tesco in aid of Marie Curie. The idea was the brainchild of team coach Christian Prosser – and saw the team raise an incredible £12,435.20.
The award comes just months after being presented with South East Wales Fundraiser of the Year at Marie Curie’s annual Great Daffodil Appeal launch at the Senedd.
“One of the boys on the team, Lewis, was being supported by Marie Curie as his dad, John was receiving care at the Cardiff and Vale Hospice,” said Christian.
“The team worked together on the day and gained great the support from the local community.”
The team travelled a distance of 266km – with Lewis going the furthest distance on the day.
“Everyone was spurring them on, and they had good support on the day from customers and staff in the store,” said Christian.
The team said they were thrilled to receive a second award from the charity for their fundraising efforts.
Speaking after collecting the award, Lewis said: “I was really happy to be asked to go to London to receive the award on behalf of the Bombers.
“I was treated like royalty and felt very proud to be part of an amazing team. A day I will never forget for so many reasons.”
Emma Dungey mum to Lewis, Amy and Lucy, whose husband John died at the hospice in June 2017, attended the award ceremony in London, where they met Marie Curie Ambassador Alison Steadman.
Emma said:
“Marie Curie did so much for us.
“I was approached by Chris, he knew what we were going through at the time, because they raise money every year for charity.
“I was so honoured that we were asked, it meant so much.”
The team is set to continue in its fundraising efforts for the charity and are working on plans for the next event.
Alex Hyde-Smith, Marie Curie’s Director of Fundraising said: “It was an honour to attend the first ever Fundraising Excellence Awards to thank our valued supporters for all they do for Marie Curie and the many people and their families they have helped to support.
“The Barry Mini Bombers are such an inspiration who have gone above and beyond for the charity. Everyone at Marie Curie is so grateful for their support. We hope that receiving this award as recognition of their efforts shows how important they are to us. Without everything they do we cannot continue our vital work.”
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. The charity offers expert nursing care, guidance and support to help people get the most from the time they have left
If you’ve got questions about terminal illness or simply want someone to talk to, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 08000902309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/help
