FRIENDS and teachers of a Gwent teenager who died following a battle with cancer took on a gruelling 12-hour walk in his memory.

A dozen teenagers and students from Coleg Gwent took on an 18-mile walk from Ebbw Vale to Blaenavon and back earlier this month in memory of 19-year-old Rhys Langford, who died in February. 

All funds raised will go to My Shining Star, a children’s cancer charity.

“We were actually surprised how far they (the students) walked,” said Martyn Cooke, a sports tutor in Coleg Gwent who took part. “Half way, some of them started to flag but they were insistent that they would carry on and finish it.”

Caiden Short, a friend of Rhys’ and a student in Coleg Gwent, organised the fundraiser.

South Wales Argus:

Rhys Langford, from Ebbw Vale, died in February aged 19. After being diagnosed with cancer, Rhys spent his last few months fundraising for Jacob Jones, a six-year-old boy, who was also fighting cancer.

Rhys donated £1,000 of his own savings and fundraised another £60,000 for Jacob.

Rhys was told he had osteosarcoma - a type of cancer which starts in the bones - in October 2020. He underwent months of intensive treatment and left the hospital in August 2021.

However, the cancer returned in December.

The initial goal for the fundraiser was £300. Currently, with 69 donors, the money that has been raised is £865.

“I think we’ve just scraped the surface. I think with a lot more media presence, we’ll get a lot more money,” said Mr Cooke.

The fundraiser is ongoing and you can support Coleg Gwent’s effort and My Shining Stars by donating here.