£12k for hospice raised in tribute to Newport pal (From South Wales Argus)
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£12k for St David's Foundation Hospice Care raised in tribute to Newport pal
7:20pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News
MARATHON EFFORT: From left, Earl Palmer, Anthony Thomas and Lewis Grant are taking part in a 36-hour gym marathon in memory of their friend Steve Lewis
THE family and friends of lifeguard Steve Lewis, who died of stomach cancer in 2011 aged 31, have raised more than £12,000 for St David’s Foundation Hospice Care in the past year.
Steve, who worked for Newport council and taught hundreds of Newport children how to swim, was diagnosed with cancer in October 2011.
He was looked after by his family doctor, nurses and St David’s Hospice Care which let him stay at home for the last four weeks of his life His mother, Jackie Lewis, was helped by a bereavement counsellor from St David’s and since then has pledged to raise money for St David’s in Steve’s name.
In the first year Mrs Lewis and her family and friends have organised 11 events to raise money for the hospice.
On Saturday March 2 a fundraiser took place to mark one year of fund raising.
Mrs Lewis said: “Support is growing all the time. Steve was so proud to be Welsh so Saturday celebrated St David’s Day weekend for St David’s Hospice Care.
“The celebrations included a massive raffle with prizes from Bannatyne’s Gym, Richard Kent hairdressers, Pontypool Ski Centre and Snap-U-Photography.
“A mini-auction raised more money with signed photographs from athletes including Jade Jones, the Olympic gold medallist in taekwondo, and a beautiful themed St David’s Day cake donated by Jane Laurie.”
Mrs Lewis and her friends also helped out as marshals at the Newport half marathon on Sunday, and she is planning to repeat a Bank Holiday fancy dress walk which raised more than £4,000 last year on Monday May 27, walking from Charles Street to The Ship at Caerleon.
She added: “Last year many other groups of Steve’s friends raised money in his name, and I said that Steve is looking down with one of his amazing smiles, so proud of each one of us.”
Mrs Lewis is also running a Facebook auction which will run throughout March at www.facebook.com/pages/St-Davids-Auction-Room
Other fundraisng events include a marathon 36-hour gymsession.
To donate visit www.facebook.com/StudSAL
