A MOTHER-of-two raised £160 for the Argus’ Jack’s Appeal over the weekend by holding her own bucket collection on Blackwood’s high street.

Joy Greenaway, from Pontllanfraith, donned a Welsh ladies costume on Saturday, in keeping with the St David’s Day theme, to raise money for our campaign to get heart defibrillators into every secondary school in Gwent and the Rhymney Valley in memory of Jack Thomas.

Jack died suddenly in February 2012 from an underlying heart condition, and the Argus has since teamed up with his parents, Grant and June Thomas, to make the potentially life-saving heart machines widely available.

Mrs Greenaway’s sons, 18-year-old Robert, aged 18, and 15-year-old Jamie, aged 15, also attended Oakdale Comprehensive School, as had Jack up until his tragic death two years ago.

Mrs Greenaway, 51, said: “It’s also just trying to raise awareness for the campaign – I know from past experience that it can be a struggle to find new ways of fundraising so I’m just doing what I can to help.

"When [Jack’s death] happened, my boys were in the same school and it affected a lot of parents, mothers particularly, who felt that it could happen to any of our children. I think Jack’s parents are amazing. With all the fundraising work [June Thomas] does, I think she will save a child’s life one day – she is an amazing person.”

Mrs Greenaway thanked the people of Blackwood for their generosity, with the money raised being added to a total which has now raised of nearly £2,000.

She added: “The people of Blackwood did us proud today and gave generously to Jack’s Appeal. [We] have raised about £160 and hopefully raised awareness of the campaign.”

l Tickets for the The King and Queen of Hearts Summer Ball (in memory of Jack’s Appeal) are £45 each, and include a sparkling drinks reception, a three-course dinner and entertainment. It will be held at the Hilton Newport Hotel on Chepstow Road, Langstone, NP18 2LX, on June 7, 2014. People are being encouraged to arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. To book tickets, to the Summer Ball contact Welsh Hearts Fundraising Office on 02920 786521 or email fundraising@welshhearts.org.

l To make a simple donation to Jack’s Appeal, or donate the proceeds of a fundraising event, send cheques made payable to Welsh Hearts charity, either to its headquarters at Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HA, or to Newsdesk, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 3QN. Please write ‘Jack Thomas defibs appeal’ on the back of the envelope.