Penny Farthing goes a long way
By Effective Communication
An appeal which raises money for a Welsh cancer charity, has celebrated raising more than £100,000 in the last 10 years, at special event in Ceredigion.
The Penny Farthing Appeal was set up in 1999 by Richard Davies from Llandysul, to raise money for Cancer Research Wales, after he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer himself. Sadly Richard, a former building foreman, died shortly after diagnosis, at the age of 30, and his dad Derrick and mum Carol have continued his charity work ever since.
Explaining how the appeal was established, Derrick said: “When our son Richard was having his treatment he said he wanted to set up a fundraising appeal to find a cure. He didn’t want luxuries like a television; all he wanted was to find a cure. Carol, Richard and I went to the Barclays Bank – who has supported us throughout the ten years – to get the process started, and we held our first fundraising event soon after.”
The initial fundraiser, in June 1999, was riding the distance to Ireland on two Penny farthing frames– one large for the adults and one small for the children. This raised a staggering £14,000 and has continued every year.
Derrick said: “People still ask me today where the name – Penny Farthing Appeal – came from. I used to ride a Penny Farthing at various vintage events in and around our village, and Richard would follow on his push bike to make sure I was safe getting on and off. We had several
names suggested to us – the Richard Davies Appeal for example– but Richard liked The Penny Farthing, so we chose that.”
Over the last ten years, fundraising highlights have included Derrick shaving his head to mark his 60th birthday, when he asked people to sponsor him in lieu and raised £3,500.
Richard’s sister, Helen Davies, and friend Anna Owen took part in this year’s Flora London Marathon with Anna also taking part in a sponsored head shave in January. The pair raised a total of £10,955.
Mary Smith held a ‘Sponsored Slim’ this year and lost a massive three stone in four months and raised £350 for the Penny Farthing Appeal in the process, while Amanda Beard held a fundraising evening in July at the Llandovery Rugby Club and raised £5,300.
The Tifi Harness Races organised a parlour racing day last month including a meal, auction and raffle supported by Barclays Bank, and raised more than £2,000.
Saturday December 5 marked ten years of the appeal, which Derrick and Carol celebrated with another fundraiser at the Ffrostrassol Arms in Llandysul. Their guests enjoyed a two course meal, entertainment by comedian and singer Robbie Lee, and an auction.
The highlight of the evening was Derrick’s announcement that the Penny Farthing Appeal had raised a staggering total of £104,808.96 since its conception a decade ago. Derrick also presented Cancer Research Wales charity director Maggie Hughes with a cheque for £27,408.96 – the amount raised this year.
Derrick said: “The anniversary fundraiser went very well. I would like to pass on my thanks to Councillor John Crossley who very kindly hosted the auction, the Ffrostrassol Arms arms for a lovely meal and comedian and singer Robbie Lee who put on a show that everyone enjoyed. A big thank-you from Carol and I for all those who supported the events.
Derrick continued: “Anyone who would like to support in anyway, either by donating or with a fundraising event, please get in touch with me on 01559 370885. Cancer Research Wales is such a great cause, as every penny raised in Wales stays in Wales. We’re carrying on Richard’s fundraising for him.
Cancer Research Wales Director, Maggie Hughes, said: “This is an outstanding achievement by Derrick, Carol and everyone involved in the Penny Farthing Appeal.
“Their dedication and passion for fundraising over the last ten years has been incredible, and the money raised will make a real difference to the fight against cancer here in Wales. Our scientists are currently researching new treatments which may prevent certain cancers spreading to other parts of the body.”
