An Ammanford-based committee which has raised over £500,000 for cancer research has disbanded after 50 years.

The first meeting of the Ammanford Cancer Research Committee was held on January 5 1967 and with the exception of two years, the group have detailed minutes of every meeting.

There were 30 members present in the company of Lt. Col. Crewe Read, the Appeals Secretary for South Wales. Officers were elected, and it was decided to hold meetings on the last Thursday of the month at the Pensioner’s Hall in Ammanford, which has carried on to the present day.

The first fundraising effort was held in April 1967 – a Barn Dance at the Hall, entry 2/6p.

During the 50 years, the committee have experienced three name changes and three different logos.

The group began under the title of the British Empire Cancer Campaign.

Events organised consisted of Christmas charity lunches, Easter Egg raffles at the DVLA, collection at Pont Abraham services, house to house, Relay for Life 24 hours, fashion shows and abseils.

Nowadays, Ammanford Cancer Research Committee relay on coffee mornings, golf days, concerts and various sponsorships such as walks, shaves, piano playing and an eight-year-old boy raised £500 on his scooter.

The group have now raised over £500,000 and in 2004 the present chairman/treasurer Jean Jones, who is the only serving founder member, was awarded a Fellowship in the Flame of Hope Awards in the Community Fundraising category, losing out the Isle of Jersey.

Although the group are now just nine members, the intimal enthusiasm of the committee as not warned over the years, neither has its initiative.

Chairman Jean Jones, who has been in the role for 25 years, said: “One of life’s highest privileges is to be of service to others and we will continue to support the dedicated people researching into the cause and treatment of a disease that causes so much stress and bereavement to so many families.

“Together we will beat cancer.”

As well as taking on the role of Chairman, Jean has also been treasurer for the committee for 35 years.

The committee would like to thank Mrs Jean Jones for her tremendous work over the years and for organising the recent coffee meeting on November 30, which was kindly sponsored by Coaltown Coffee.

Although the committee has disbanded, Jean and secretary Wendy Evans continue with the work of fundraising and would welcome any donations towards this worthwhile cause.

For more information contact Wendy Evans on 01269 593441.