30 years of Letterston Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care

In 2023 our Letterston Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care group celebrated it’s 30th anniversary. Many of the forming members are still involved so we caught up with Liaison Officer Ann Evans to find out more about the group and what the future holds.

How and when did the group start?

My good friend Rhian Taylor started the group back in 1993. She’d been diagnosed with breast cancer the year before and her treatment worked. She was keen to set up the group and support a Welsh-based charity.

At the time I was working as a headteacher in Cardiff, and could only help during the holidays, but when I retired, I moved back to the area and became more involved. My role on the committee is to coordinate communication between the group and Tenovus Cancer Care.

Sadly, Rhian passed away in 2020, not from cancer. She worked tirelessly and was the driving force behind the group and after her passing, we were left wondering what the future of the group looked like. We decided as a group, that in her memory, we would carry on.

How have you managed to raise that amount of money?

We run a wide variety of monthly events, to appeal to as many people as possible.

We’ve organized concerts, from Male Voice Choirs and operas, to shows featuring school children and local children who have won in the Urdd Eisteddfod.

We put on a quiz evening at our local pub, and they sponsor us. We have a golf day, and we organize raffles. There’s even been sponsored walks, flying trips in a local aerodrome, and board games played on the Stena line from Fishguard to Ireland.

Lots of our activities tend to revolve around food. We have a night out in an Indian restaurant, as well as fish and chip nights. We try to go to local businesses, and then they in turn support us. They sponsor our events, and we receive generous donations from individuals in the community.

How has 2024 been and what have you got planned for the rest of the year

Over the summer we held our golf day at Priskilly Golf Club, which was a big event. Local businesses sponsored each hole, and people paid to enter the golf challenge. It was very well supported by the local community. In addition, we had a bottle store, craft stalls and a raffle with really good prizes. 

We had a break in August, but then got going again in September. We had a really successful coffee morning in the Bowls Club and we raised £563 selling coffee and cakes. A good selection of the community attended. Now that we’ve developed such a close relationship with the Bowls Club, we’ve agreed to organise a BBQ there next summer.

In October then we held a ‘go pink’ event in the Town Hall to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We handed out leaflets and cards and did a bucket collection.  

Towards the end of November, the Christmas Lights will switch on in Fishguard, and we’ll have a table there. There will be lots of people there and a brass band and we’ll hold a grand raffle. We’re collecting those prizes right now. We’ve already had some cushions from a local mill, as well as wine and a spa voucher. We’re hoping to get vouchers from local businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and meat vouchers. It takes quite a bit of time to get around all the businesses. Last year we managed to raise £1,000, so that is our aim this year.

In December we’ve got our Christmas lunch for the committee members and friends and family. That’ll be in the golf club, and we’ll hold another raffle.

What motivates you to do this work?

We’re keen to carry on Rhian’s good work in her memory. Tenovus Cancer Care is rooted in Wales and provides services locally. Crucially, it brings that support to the people. The Mobile Support Units for example really help people living in rural communities. It helps them avoid the stress and expense of travelling long distances to cancer centers and hospitals.

We’re a group of ten strong members and we meet monthly in Priskilly Golf Club. Officers are elected annually, and there are clear agendas, minutes and financial accounts. But we’re not precious. There’s always so much fun and enjoyment.

How are you feeling about the future of the group?

We’ve lasted 31 years, but it is now essential that we entice others into the group. That’s why one of our aims is to attract younger blood. Our current members are mainly retired, and we need young people to learn the ropes and bring in new ideas that are more relevant to new generations. We’re determined to continue and further develop our fundraising efforts for Tenovus Cancer Care in our small rural community here in North Pembrokeshire.