CARDIGAN’S ‘King Coal’ – champion charity fund-raiser Derek Burton – helped town mayor Cllr Trystan Phillips present cheques to a number of local charities during a presentation evening held by the town council at Cardigan Castle.

Derek – famous for his gruelling fund-raising hikes lugging a 50kg bag of coal – was accompanied by his wife Cindy as Cllr Phillips oversaw the awarding of cheques to what he termed a number of worthy causes.

“We wanted an opportunity to congratulate Derek on receiving the town shield, as it was given to him at the tail-end of lockdown when no councillors could be present,” explained a spokesperson.

The gathering also included Cardigan Foodbank manager Alan Faunch who received a cheque for £400 from Cllr Phillips – money which normally would have been spent on light refreshments following last month’s Mayor-making ceremony.

Recipients included: 3rd Cardigan Sea Scout Group – who will use the money to provide a new roof for their hut; Cardigan RFC – who plan to instal a box in which to place the heart defibrillator outside the club; Small World Theatre – who are planning activities for disabled children; Welsh Air Ambulance – whose grant will go towards annual running costs and Cardigan Skatepark who say the money will pay for a new storage box.

In addition, children’s charity Jig-so will use their grant to fund courses to teach lifeskills/cooking to families who have suffered domestic abuse; Poppit Sands Surf Life Saving Club intend to provide updated manuals for various courses to train members; Theatre Mwldan say their award will go towards annual running costs and Dydd Sadwrn Barlus will use their own award to help costs for road closures.