A DARTS contest will be held this weekend in memory of a well-liked father, friend and league player who recently lost his battle with a rare type of blood cancer.

Kevin Kiely died in June this year, aged 64, from the effects of Myeloma and was known as a skilled player in the Caerleon leagues.

On Saturday, Ponthir Village Hall will host a competition with a £400 winning prize alongside a raffle collection which will raise funds for charity, Myeloma UK.

Susan Kiely was married to Kevin for 39 years and met him in1977 in Canada, where she was born, before moving to Caerleon.

While there is no cure for Myeloma and an average four-year life expectancy, she said, Kevin survived for 10 years with advanced treatment and drugs from America.

“He was laid back, easy going and never complained and if you asked anyone, they would say he was a nice person,” she added.

“The last two years were very rough but he always had a smile on his face and had a great bunch of friends in Caerleon.

“An amazing group of guys who always phoned and tried to keep his spirit up”.

Son Thomas Kiely said:“As a family we wanted to create a fun day in which all darts player could get together in memory of Kevin Kiely and to raise money for a great charity, which is very close to our family.

“Since then we have been overwhelmed with local businesses kindly donating gifts for the raffle and wanting to support the event.

“Special mention to Morgan Barrell who has organised the day and to Phill Kidd for gaining a lot of sponsorship from local businesses.”

Prizes range from evenings at the Priory in Caerleon and The Beaufort in Raglan to hair salon vouchers and a pair of table tickets to the 2018 Newport Masters.

The evening includes music by blues artist ‘Sicknote Steve’ and doors open at 10.30am with registration between 11am and 12pm.

Entry is £5 and to donate a prize as a business, email: thomaskiely@hotmail.co.uk

Myeloma is a type of cancer which affects plasma cells - a type of white blood cell which produces antibodies to fight infection.

Visit www.myeloma.org.uk for more information.