SEVERAL events are being held in Llandrindod Wells this weekend to help a little girl who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Kathryn Lyons, eight, discovered she had Burkitt’s Lymphoma just days into 2024. She is currently an in-patient at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff undergoing intensive chemotherapy. She and her family could remain in hospital for the next six months.

Kathryn lives in Builth Wells with her parents Jayne and Ed. Both of them are either serving or former military personnel – which is where members of a local Royal British Legion club stepped in to help.

On Sunday, February 11, Llandrindod Wells’ Royal British Legion club is hosting a number of fundraising events, such as a table top fayre and bake sale in Llandrindod. Local group the Bracken Trust Singers will also be performing during the day.

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All proceeds raised will go towards a fundraiser Builth Primary School pupil Kathryn herself has already set up, in support of not herself, but rather LATCH, the Welsh children's cancer charity.

LATCH have helped her and her family immensely since she was diagnosed on January 7. Her page has already amassed more than £4,000.

“LATCH have been absolutely amazing,” said Jayne Lyons, Kathryn’s mum, via her ‘Kathryn’s fundraiser for LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity’ Just Giving page.

“Supporting us with everything from toothbrush and toothpaste for that first terrifying night when we had the initial diagnosis, (to) providing us with a free room above Kathryn’s ward so we can be near her, to emotional and practical support such as grants and even giving Kathryn her very own iPad.

“All this is provided purely by donations to this amazing charity. We have a long road ahead of us but we want to give back as much as we can so that LATCH can continue to support families like us.”

Jayne is a retired captain in the Army and dad Ed is a serving major in the Armed Forces. Ed is planning his own fundraiser by running the Newport Half Marathon in April.

“We have and will do our best to support Kathryn,” said David Rawsthorne, vice chairman of Llandrindod’s Royal British Legion club.

“This Sunday we are running a bake stand where local people have baked cakes, biscuits and all sorts all in support of Kathryn.

“They’re all to be sold as donations. Also, the Bracken Trust Singers are coming to raise money for Kathryn’s Just Giving page for LATCH.

“The Royal British Legion darts team are also donating £50 from their fund

“If you would like to help Kathryn please come to the legion this Sunday and donate. We will get all funds raised and placed into Kathryn’s page which she looks at all the time.

“Or you can donate directly to her page. Hope to see you all on Sunday.”

Popular Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis has also been in touch with the family. She sent a message of support and spoke to her this week, an interview that will be broadcast on her BBC Radio Wales show on Sunday.

All RBL club events on Sunday are being held between 11am-2pm. To find out more call 01597 822558, email rblclubllandrindodwells@yahoo.co.uk or visit the Llandrindod Wells - Royal British Legion Facebook page.

If you are unable to attend on Sunday, you can donate to Kathryn’s fundraising page for LATCH, by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/page/kathryns-latch-fundraising.