A CARING group of Ammanford pub regulars have put their best foot forward to raise cash for cancer.

When Pick and Shovel Social Club bar worker Kylie Evans decided to raise cash for the Lymphoma Association, a charity that supports those with both Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, friends and regulars didn’t hesitate to help.

For Kylie, 27, it was a chance to raise awareness of the cancer she fought at only 21 years old as well as supporting the Lymphoma Association and the work they do.

And with the help of friend, Ellie Branch, 26, who had also beaten the disease and is now six months in remission, it signalled the start of a fundraising and awareness drive that saw friends, family and supporters walking, cycling and bidding to raise cash.

In a co-ordinated fundraising day, one group walked from Ammanford Park to Cwmaman Park via the Riverside Walk, while another cycled from Llandeilo to Bethlehem before all meeting back at The Pick for a family fun day with music, food and raffle and auction, raising £2,833.

With generous gifts, prizes and auction lots donated from dozens of local businesses and people, with water kindly donated by Brecon Carreg, support from St John’s Ambulance and Tirydial Taxis and marshalling from Dave Parsons and Jeffrey Williams, as well as welcomes for the cyclists from Donna of The Castle, Llangadog, and from Cwmaman Football Club and Jeff Matthews at Cwmaman Park, community support was overflowing.

The family fun day was also a huge success with scores of people turning up to support the event as well as have lots of fun.

Says Kylie: “Having been in remission for five years I decided it was time to give back as well as raise awareness of this disease.

“I’d known Ellie at school and when I found out she’d had it I contacted her and it went from there.

“It was so important to raise awareness of this charity too- they do such wonderful work.

“We had a lot of help from so many people and I just want to thank everyone who supported us, donated prizes, helped out on the day or donated.

“Special thanks go to Margaret Thomas who helped organise the event and to Ken, Do Staff and the committee at the pick who supported us so much, allowed us to host the event and rearranged shifts.”

Helena Kostromin accepted the cheque on behalf of the association.

Helena, of Swansea, who has Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, added: "The Association have been a great help to me and I’m delighted to be accepting this cheque from these wonderful fundraisers.”