Celtic Couriers helps cancer fund-raiser go with a swing

By Robert Lloyd

Burry Port firm Celtic Couriers is one of the number of businesses making sure a fund-raising party for the Teenage Cancer Trust goes with a swing.

The courier and delivery business has donated a special prize for the raffle and auction at the Grand Ball being staged at The Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, on Friday, June 29 (7pm).

“We are very grateful to Celtic Couriers and all the other individuals and businesses who are helping to support this wonderful event,” said one of the Ball organisers, Llangennech Councillor Gwyneth Thomas.

“It’s a very worthwhile cause and we are hoping for a full house on the night.

“The prize from Celtic Couriers is for a four-ball round at The Ashburnham Championship Links Golf Club in Pembrey.

“The prize has been generously donated by Mr Ivor Skinner and the team at Celtic Couriers and the winner is bound to enjoy the day as The Ashburnham is known as one of our premier golfing venues.”

Councillor Thomas added: “The scene is set for a glamorous night of music and dance in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust on June 29.

“We have the Morriston Big Band as the main attraction and they promise to be great fun.

“Other major raffle and auction prizes include use of one of the hospitality suites at Parc y Scarlets for 12 people for a Llanelli Scarlets rugby match.

“There’s also a wonderful prize of bed and breakfast, with fishing thrown in.”

One of the other organisers is Carmarthenshire libraries manager Mark Jewell, whose son Tom was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2010.

Mr Jewell has devoted himself to raising cash for the Teenage Cancer Trust charity — which works with youngsters aged between 13 and 24 — to pay thanks for the support his family has received over the past two years.

He said: “I am delighted to be able to support the various activities that are planned, and to give something back in support of the first-class treatment and support we as a family have had from the unit at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.

“It’s a very special place and the dedication of nursing staff and support workers is second to none.”

The Morriston Big Band boasts a repertoire encompassing a wide range of music with something to suit all tastes, including jazz, swing, rock and roll, Latin- American, big band and pop music from the 1960s to the present day.

The band’s singers Jeff and Irene are backed by 19 musicians playing four trumpets, five trombones, five saxophones, guitars, keyboards, bass and drums.

With songs ranging from Sinatra’s Witchcraft and the smooth swing of Bobby Darin’s Mack the Knife to favourites such as Katrina and the Waves’ Walking on Sunshine and the Amy Winehouse hit Valerie, the dance floor is expected to be buzzing.

Tickets for the event cost £35 each, and are available by calling 01554

751188 or 01554 820834.

Anyone interested in giving a raffle or auction prize should contact Councillor Gwyneth Thomas on 01554 821637.

Find out what the Teenage Cancer Trust does at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff – http://www.teenagecancertrust.org/what-we-do/specialist-services/units/unive

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