BBC newsman Huw Edwards accepts £50,000 FUW cheque for Cancer Research

The £50,000 proceeds of various fund-raising events by numerous Farmers' Union of Wales staff, members and supporters have been formally handed over to Cancer Research Wales (CRW) patron and BBC TV news presenter Huw Edwards.

FUW president Emyr Jones presented the cheque to CRW fund-raiser Meinir Lewis, a Cardigan farmer's daughter, and Mr Edwards on the set of his BBC Wales Sunday night programme "The Wales Report".

Mr Jones said: "On behalf of all those who enthusiastically gave of their time and energy to help the FUW raise funds for the union’s chosen charity, I was proud to hand over a truly handsome sum to an organisation that funds research into the treatment and diagnosis of cancer for the benefit of people throughout Wales and beyond."

Accepting the cheque on behalf of CRW, Mr Edwards said: “It gives me great pleasure to act as patron for such an important charity. I’m proud to be associated with an organisation which values its supporters and works tirelessly to make a difference."

A CRW spokesperson said: “We are so grateful for this generous donation and the ongoing support of the Farmers’ Union of Wales. The FUW staff, members and supporters’ commitment and creativity in their fundraising efforts over the past few years has been brilliant.

“The £50,000 raised by all the FUW’s hard work will help Cancer Research Wales continue its ground-breaking research into cancer treatments at facilities such as the Velindre Centre.”

Founded in 1966, CRW is Wales’ only independent cancer research charity. In 2000 Mr Edwards opened its research laboratory in the grounds of Velindre Hospital in Cardiff, which has since become a centre of excellence for the non-surgical treatment of cancer.

The charity also funds pioneering work at other facilities across Wales including the Wales Cancer Bank - a hugely exciting project and a real investment by today’s generation for the Welsh people of tomorrow.