Green-fingered pupils have helped raise more than £65,000 for cancer care in Swansea Bay by growing sunflowers – inspired by a teacher who lost her husband to the disease.
Every year the youngsters at St Joseph’s in Clydach compete to grow the tallest sunflower, raising money through sponsorship which is donated to the South West Wales Cancer Centre at Singleton Hospital.
The event was first organised by teacher Juliet Stack 27 years ago, in memory of husband Peter James who was diagnosed with cancer just before the couple’s first wedding anniversary.
He died when the couple’s daughter Robyn was just six months old.
Mrs Stack, who is ow the school’s headteacher, said: “With bereavement people often want to do something to keep themselves busy.
“I went back to school because I wanted a focus and I came up with the idea of a flower competition because Peter was a horticulturist, and it has really taken off over the years.”
The school hosts an annual show in tandem with the flower growing competition, during which winners are presented with their prizes.
Every year until his retirement, Peter’s oncologist Dr Colin Askill would attend the celebration.
Mrs Stack added: “Dr Askill was a great friend and support to the school. We wish him a very well-deserved retirement and want him to know that his kindness and support during the difficult times of Peter’s illness, and after, inspired us to fundraise for the hospital.”
This year the 27th sunflower competition was held at St Benedict’s Church in Clydach, where a stained-glass window memorialises Peter, as well as a number of other parishioners.
After losing her husband, Mrs Stack went on to remarry Brendan Stack, who also lost his wife Carole to cancer. Her names feature on the stained-glass window too.
Mrs Stack added: “Without the support of my colleagues, parents and pupils this would not be possible.
“It is always a fabulous day where we celebrate treasured memories of people and also over the year’s wonderful memories of special sunflower days.”
The South West Wales Cancer Charity Fund is one of hundreds of individual funds that come under the umbrella of Swansea Bay Health Charity.
This is the health board’s official charity. Money raised is used for equipment, staff training, research and special projects for the benefit of our patients and staff, above and beyond what the NHS can provide.
Cathy Stevens, the charity’s community fundraising officer, said: “The support that the pupils, staff and their families have shown the South West Wales Cancer Care Centre over the past 27 years is overwhelming.
“Through their amazing fundraising efforts, we have been able to purchase specialised equipment to help improve care for our cancer patients from Bridgend to Swansea, across all of West Wales and as far north as Aberystwyth.
“The centre is the second largest non-surgical cancer centre in Wales with lifesaving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
“On behalf of all the staff, patients and volunteers at the cancer centre, thank you for your continued support.”
