AN AWARD-WINNING Chepstow cook who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year is organising a bumper fundraising day for a charity that has helped her through recent months.

Angharad Underwood, who runs The Preservation Society from her home in Bulwark, is organising a mass zipwire day at the National Diving and Activity Centre in aid of Velindre to take place on Saturday, September 5.

She said she hopes to break the centre’s record for the number of people travelling down the wire in one day, which currently stands at 200.

She had promised her son Archie, seven, that she would accompany him on the wire but her illness, diagnosed in December, got in the way until now.

But the 43-year-old said: “We will be going first; I didn’t want to see anyone else doing it first.

“It was always going to be something Archie and I were going to do and we had to postpone it. Then people said: ‘We will do it as well’ and it suddenly became something anyone can be part of.”

The Dell Daredevils, a team formed of staff from Archie’s school, will also be undertaking the challenge and have already started their fundraising.

She added she is keen for the zipwire challenge to be undertaken by children and parents alike: “I’m never going to run a marathon; I’m not going to swim the Channel. But I love the inclusivity of [the zipwire].”

Her brother Rick will be taking part in 12 hours of challenges on the day, cycling the 33 miles from the National Diving Centre to Velindre on a static bike as many times as he can while taking part in other challenges which will be revealed on the day.

Deputy head of fundraising at Velindre Kylie McKee said: “What Angharad is doing for Velindre is just amazing.

"To dedicate so much time, energy and hard work into organsing this event when she’s receiving treatment and running her own business is remarkable.

"Please come along and have a go at the zip slide, have some food, enjoy the music and support Angharad and Velindre in our quest of achieving Victory Over Cancer.”

Raffle prizes that will be auctioned off during the day, which will be held from 10am until 7pm, include a signed Manic Street Preachers disc.

Also exclusive Monmouthshire restaurants have given away prizes.

The Hardwick in Abergavenny has donated an overnight stay and the Newbridge on Usk has donated a cocktail class for six people.

Along with the zipwire challenge and the auction, there will be live music from local choirs, food stalls, a bar and a show from drag queen Mitzi Mac.

For more information on the fundraising visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/zipslidechallenge4velindre