Singer braves weather to inspire fundraisers

Jul 7 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

WRAPPED up against the elements, Charlotte Church strides out to raise cash for lung cancer research.

The Voice of an Angel was warm but swamped in one of rugby star boyfriend Gavin Henson’s Ospreys team coats as she led a sponsored walk around Bridgend.

But the 22-year-old singer-turned-television star needed a hand from a gallant King to step down from a 5ft high aluminium platform where she addressed a 500-strong crowd with a loud hailer.

Bridgend magistrate Derrick King, who is also a director of Bridgend Ravens RFC, was given the responsibility of ensuring the star kept her balance as she negotiated five aluminium steps yesterday morning.

Mr King, 73, said: “My instructions were, ‘Catch her if she falls!’”

Mr King, a marshall at the event, added: “She looked good, healthy, happy and was smiling all the time. It’s great of her to help.”

According to reports yesterday, Church and Henson are expecting a baby brother for nine-month-old daughter Ruby.

But the beaming Tissues and Issues singer, dressed casually in black trousers and a white T-shirt promoting Mair’s Walk, concentrated on inspiring walkers.

She told them: “Hi everyone. Thank you very much for coming and for your support for lung cancer research.

“It seems to have touched all our lives unfortunately, but that’s the situation.

“Thank you very much and enjoy the walk.”

And the Voice of an Angel singer, who last week celebrated Ruby’s Christening at St Mary of the Angels Church, Pontcanna, Cardiff, donned white trainers to lead from the front flanked by two police community support officers.

The event raised thousands of pounds for Velindre Hospital, Llandaff, and was organised by Mair ap Gruffydd, of Coychurch, Bridgend, who has suffered with lung cancer and was a patient at Velindre for the past two years.

Walkers tackled a three-kilometre route from Bridgend Recreation Centre, through Newbridge Fields and Merthyr Mawr, before crossing the stepping stones at Ogmore Castle.

Once they arrived, the fundraisers tucked into a hog roast in a marquee next to a farm owned by Grand National jockey Christian Williams’ family – just two miles from Church and Henson’s £800,000 farmhouse.

Shop assistant Emma Thomas, 19, of Nantymoel, Ogmore Valley, said: “I wanted to help by raising money and awareness.”

Bridgend council worker Terry Davies, 64, of Coychurch, said: “It’s the only charity I’ll support.

“My father and my brother had cancer so I’ve seen first-hand the devastation it can cause.”

Angela Jones, 46, a mental health worker, of Nantymoel, said: “My father died of lung cancer 20 years ago and my uncle nine years ago.

“Whatever we can do to help find a cure should be done.”

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk