Leading Welsh prostate charity Prostate Cymru this week raised a massive £40,000 at its first President’s Ball.
The largely voluntary run charity has long been dedicated to fighting prostate cancer, procuring equipment and raising awareness here in Wales.
Prostate cancer annually claims 11,000 lives across the UK, with 32,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Saturday saw the first President’s Ball held at the Towers Hotel in Swansea, hosted by the charity’s president, David Brace O.B.E. The evening involved live music, raffle prizes and some exclusive auction items.
A generous £40,000 was raised, with £21,000 of this being raised from the auction prizes alone.
Perhaps the most sought after auction prize of the night was a unique dining experience with Warren Gatland O.B.E and his wife Trudi.
Warren kindly offered the prize of a home-cooked meal for four, prepared by himself, in the comfort of his own home. The opportunity was snapped up by good friends Andy Thomas and Neil Fenn who were at the ball with their wives Tina and Rhian.
Other prizes up for grabs included a week in the luxurious Marbella for four, a pair of tickets to the coveted Wales v All Blacks match this autumn, and a day at the races with lunch.
Reflecting on the past year’s success, president David Brace O.B.E said: “I look back with fondness over some of the fantastic achievements and events this past 12 months has brought us.
This year alone we have enjoyed golf days, bike rides and marathon walks; the success of the President’s Ball has really been the icing on the cake.
I would like to personally thank everyone that has made this year such a success, and I hope that in 2015 we can continue our hard work and help find a cure for this dreadful disease.”