FAMILY and friends of a former caretaker at Cardigan Guildhall market have raised nearly £2,000 for a charity which supported him and them in his final months.

Ronnie Evans worked at the market for more than 30 years and was well known for winding up the town clock every Thursday.

He sadly died in January, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in July 2017, aged 67 during the second year of his retirement.

“By Christmas he was bedridden with a very aggressive form of dementia,” said his sister Mandy.

“His condition changed from week to week. The mental health team put us in touch with Angela Powell at Marie Curie, for support not just for Ronnie but to us as a family.”

Ronnie’s identical twin Roy and Mandy cared for Ronnie at home in Cilgerran until May 2018, but during his final six months the family received support from Angela, clinical nurse manager of Marie Curie’s dementia service in West Wales.

“We had no idea that this service was offered for anything other than cancer care,” said Mandy.

“When you haven’t slept properly for days and you are caring for somebody 24/7, the backup offered by Angela either on the phone or by calling to see Ronnie was our lifeline.

“Unfortunately, due to his complex needs Ronnie went in to Bridell Care Home which was close enough for us to visit daily.

“Angela would call at Bridell and still phone us regularly. Marie Curie’s care did not end just because Ronnie was no longer in our care.”

In December 2018, the family’s friends at the Rampin in Cilgerran decided to hold a port and cheese evening and auction in Ronnie’s honour.

The evening’s main sponsors were Peter Glenhurst Construction, Stuart Tanygroes Car Dismantlers and Jones Cheese.

“We would like to thank the many locals that made this night such a success, £1,500 was raised on the night,” said Mandy, who added that following Ronnie’s death a further £400 was raised for Marie Curie and £600 raised for and donated to Menter Aberteifi, which went towards the repair of the town clock and the Guildhall lift repair.

A plaque in his honour will be placed in the Guildhall courtyard, and a total of £1,905 has been donated to Marie Curie.

Sara Pilkinton, Marie Curie community fundraiser for West Wales, said: “Thank you to Ronnie’s family and friends for their support and fantastic fundraising efforts for Marie Curie.

“These funds mean we can continue to support families like theirs, who need vital support in their final months, weeks and days, while living with a terminal illness.”

To find out more about Marie Curie visit mariecurie.org.uk