A CANCER fundraising group are celebrating raising £240,550 over the last 20 years.

The Kington Macmillan fundraising committee have had another successful year in 2015 raising £17,000 for people affected by cancer in Herefordshire.

The exact amount the group has raised will never be known as the original books dating back to 1970, when the group was founded, were burnt in a fire so records only date back to 1986.

“The committee was established in 1970 when a small group of like minded individuals came together to start the Kington Committee in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, rallied by the then local bank manager Trevor Davis,” said Dorothy Pritchard, the committee’s secretary.

“46 years on and we’re still going strong, holding events and raising money for the charity within their community.”

The committee’s first secretary and still an active member, Lesley Walters says that the group are currently looking for younger members

She said: “We really would like to welcome some new younger members to the committee, who would bring fresh ideas and thoughts on how we can continue to raise money for cancer services in Herefordshire.”

One of the committee’s first fundraising activities was a community based autumn fair selling cakes, gifts and cards, held on the evening of first Monday in November which still continues 46 years later.

Lesley added: “That first year we raised £100 and the second year £200 from the fair, giving us the drive to continue our efforts.

"The committee now do supermarket collections in Kington and Leominster, hold an annual raffle, support several coffee mornings and continue to hold the autumn fair on the first Monday in November at the Masonic Hall in Kington.

“Sadly many of the original books and ledgers were destroyed in a house fire and so giving an exact figure on the money raised is difficult but what we can say for sure is that since 1986 the committee has raised £240,550.”

Macmillan’s local fundraiser, Emma Garvey said that by 2030, the number of people living with cancer will have doubled.

"It’s a huge task to support each and every one of those in some way," added Emma.

"With the hard work and loyalty of committees, like Kington, we can provide more services, more support and reach more people in communities throughout the county.”

If you’re interested in joining Kington committee, holding or attending a fundraising event, or would like to choose Macmillan as your charity of the year, please contact Emma Garvey on 07467 953457 or email: egarvey@macmillan.org.uk.

Anyone who has questions about cancer can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 08088 080000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm or by visiting www.macmillan.org.uk.