Today (Tuesday 31st July), Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP, Gerald Jones, hosted an Afternoon Tea in High Street Baptist Church in Merthyr Tydfil to raise money for local charity, Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil, and Breast Cancer Care.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with around 62,000 people are diagnoses every year – approximately one every 10 minutes. To increase awareness and raise funds, this summer, Breast Cancer Care are encouraging communities across the UK to get involved and host an afternoon tea.
The funds raised at the event will partly be split between Breast Cancer Care and Merthyr Tydfil charity, Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil, whose aim is to provide practical and emotional support for cancer patients and their families during and after diagnosis to all residents of Merthyr Tydfil
Having registered as a charity in 2003, with funding from the local residents and Welsh Government, Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil went on to build a Cancer Centre of Excellent in Dowlais, which was opened in September 2007. The drop-in centre is open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for patients to drop in, access information, have a cup of tea and register to access the services on offer.
Speaking ahead the event, Gerald Jones MP said:
“I was delighted to see our community come together to help raise funds for Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Aid, who both do such excellent work to support residents with cancer and those who are seriously ill. It goes to show just how much their work is appreciated by the community.
“As the most common cancer in the UK, it’s important that awareness of breast cancer is raised and those who are diagnosed with it are supported. The funds raised today will go some way to helping support the charities’ work, patients and their families.”
Tracey Burke, Centre Manager at Cancer Aid said:
“This afternoon tea was an important opportunity to raise awareness of the work Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil does for local residents and I was pleased with the fantastic turnout for the event.
“The funds raised will go a long way to help continue to provide our services, and will be hugely appreciated by our volunteers, patients and their families, and I’d like to thank everyone who attended the afternoon tea.”