Mervyn becomes an Honorary Fellow

The charity’s annual Flame of Hope Awards acknowledge remarkable efforts in fundraising and volunteering made by people from all walks of life.

Mervyn Ferris, who has been successfully treated for bowel cancer himself, scooped the accolade beating off stiff competition from across the UK.

He was named a Cancer Research UK Honorary Fellow at a special online presentation recently in celebration of 20 years unflinching loyalty and dedication as a fundraiser.

Meryn started volunteering for the charity after he lost a close friend and several relatives to cancer and is well known in the Ballymoney area for his fundraising efforts.

He has forged strong relationships with local businesses, postal staff, schools and dance groups which see them take part in activities to support the committee’s work.

Mervyn was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017 and, after a challenging few years in which he underwent four operations and suffered sepsis, he was given the all-clear earlier this year. During the period he was ill he continued to organise fundraising events for the charity.

He said: “I’m hugely surprised and honoured to receive the award but what has been achieved over the last 20 years is also testament to the work of the whole committee and our network of volunteers.

“It’s really a thank you for the whole community effort of pulling together to support fundraising for the life-saving research that Cancer Research scientists carry out.

“Covid-19 has presented challenges to our fundraising this year but our committee is still working extremely hard to come up with new ways to champion Cancer Research UK in our networks and raise much needed funds.”

The online ceremony was in place of an event in London hosted by Cancer Research UK’s chairman, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, which had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.

For more information about Cancer Research UK visit their website www.cruk.org