GOLF days, sponsored walks and home-made marmalade - just three of the ideas that contributed to a remarkable 17-year cancer research fundraising effort by Michael and Bridget Locke.

The couple have been instrumental in raising £500,000 since 1988, first for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and lately, since the former merged with the Cancer Research Campaign, for Cancer Research UK.

Their efforts as the driving force behind the charities' Newport and District Friends have earned them an Honorary Fellowship of Cancer Research UK, the charity's highest honour, which they received at its annual Flame of Hope Awards ceremony.

"This is not just for us, but for everyone who has been involved with the Friends. They deserve the credit for reaching this amount, too," said Mrs Locke, who lives with her husband in Parkfield Place, Newport.

Mr Locke is the group's secretary, while Mrs Locke "bullies everyone into action every now and then".

Inspired by others' cancer battles, the fundraising odyssey began with a coffee morning in the spring of 1988, and soon Mr Locke was walking to Cardiff, a sponsored event that brought in around £2,000.

"We chose the Imperial Cancer Research Fund because at that time it put the most money into research and had the best record on efficiency," said Mr Locke, who worked as an architect before retiring in 1991.

"At that time it wasn't very strong in Wales, but as we got established, the more people came to us to donate."

During the past 17 years, Newport and District Friends have persisted with traditional fundraising methods, such as coffee mornings and collections.

Mr Locke has turned his hand to marmalade production, a small but steady income stream. "I got mad at him one day and challenged him to make some, and he did!" said Mrs Locke.