Thirteen-year-old Harmony Daly raised money for Cancer Research UK when she was a pupil at Blenheim Road Community Primary School.
After joining Cwmbran High School last year, she spoke to teachers about organising a fundraising relay event. Today, the second Cwmbran High Relay for Life is taking place on the school’s sports pitches.
I spoke to Harmony as pupils arrived in the sports hall, ready to hear a presentation from the volunteers involved in the Pontypool Relay for Life event about cancer and how the money raised will help their work.
Harmony said: “I started the Relay in Blenheim because I’ve lost both my grandads from cancer and I wanted to raise a lot of money for less families to go through that.
“So then, when I came to high school, I thought it’d be a great idea to bring it to high school too.”
‘I hope everyone has fun’ at Relay for Life
I asked her what it felt like to be standing in the sports hall watching hundreds of classmates walk in to learn more about cancer and help raise vital funds.
The year eight pupil said: “So, so good. I never thought it would get like this. I’m hoping we raise a lot of money and everyone has fun.”
Eve Perkins, comms and engagement volunteer with Pontypool Relay for Life, said: “It is intimidating trying to explain what cancer is to children, but they get it.
“It’s lovely to see the children are aware of what they’re raising money for, not just ‘oh we’re raising money for cancer’ but why they’re doing it.
‘She is amazing’
“Harmony has been part of our youth committee for the last two years and she is amazing.
“She does loads. She comes to everything. They [the youth committee] did the Three Peaks the other day and absolutely smashed it. We love her.
“The reason I joined [the Relay for Life team] and the reason I’m still doing it is because I want young people to have that awareness because if they’re not aware how is all the research going to carry on so it’s lovely to see that these kids understand what’s going on.”
Victoria Hobbs, a PE teacher at the school, said: “Everybody does as many laps as they can of the field. Nominated pupils will have the baton, and that may pass around the year group as the hour goes on. Then, between lessons, us as PE staff keep it moving, and at break time the staff keep it moving.
“At lunchtime, we have the ASD department who will come down when it’s a bit quieter, they keep it moving. Then it’ll finish right at the last lesson of the day.”
Key stage 3 pupils at Cwmbran High School have been studying cancer as part of their health and wellbeing lessons. They’ve created banners that are displayed at various locations around the school
Ms Hobbs said: “Pupils have then been creative and use their research on the different cancers to create flags for banners which will be displayed around the school site on the day.
“I wanted this year’s event to be more than just a sponsored event but an opportunity for pupils to understand why we were are doing it and where the money goes. I am so pleased with the pupils’ response and how they have embraced the learning and activities.”
One pupil said: “I was unaware of what my family members had passed away from but this event has generated a conversation at home.”
Make a donation to Relay for Life
Make a donation to their fundraising efforts through this JustGiving page.