A CHARITY golf day in Pontnewydd raised £2,400 in memory of a Gwent woman who died of pancreatic cancer.

Marilyn May Ball, of Malpas, who was known as Lynn to her friends and family, died in March 2010 after being diagnosed with cancer just seven weeks earlier.

The annual Marilyn May Memorial Golf Day, organised by her family, took place on Sunday (July 13) at the Pontnewydd Golf Club.

Her daughter Linda Reardon said: "The Marilyn May Memorial Golf Day is an annual event dreamed up by my sister Mandy and her husband John New, who live in Cheltenham, in memory of our mum.

"As a family we have been raising funds and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer UK for four years starting with the Shine Walk in Cardiff followed by my father Clive Ball, aged 86, and I doing the Cheltenham Challenge the following summer.

"Since then we have held auctions, cake sales, balloon launches, psychic evenings, alternative music nights in addition to the golf day and had coverage on tv, as well as supporting a petition for a debate in Parliament for better funding and awareness for pancreatic cancer."

Last year's golf day, which was held in Cheltenham, raised £2,000 and the Ball family now hope to hold the events alternately in Cheltenham and Cwmbran.

Mrs Reardon added: "We had great support with 11 teams of four playing, ladies, gentlemen and juniors, we also had trophies for the longest drive and nearest the pin.

"As a family we have now raised around £18,000. he members of Pontnewydd Golf Club were amazing support and we are hoping to see many of them at next year's event in The Cotswolds.

"During the course of the day we spoke to several club members who have lost loved ones to the disease. We also spoke to a gentleman who is an 11-year survivor."

Hannah Harris, secretary of Pontnewydd Golf Club, said: "We thought the day well exceptionally well. The weather treated us kindly and the course played well. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The club enjoys supporting charity events."

Mrs Reardon set up a support group following her mother's death called Families in Support of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness.

Anyone who has been affected by pancreatic cancer can email Mrs Reardon at MrsLinda.Reardon@outlook.com