A DEDICATED charity champion from Connah's Quay raised roughly £4,000 for a charity through a rowing challenge he has been taking on annually for the last 49 years.
Ray Woolley, 84, supported Cancer Research UK when, at 11am on Sunday, July 7, he set off on his yearly row from Connah's Quay Docks to Chester.
All proceeds from the event were to donated to the charity on behalf of Deeside Voluntary Committee.
The annual row began after Ray sadly lost his brother, Reg, to cancer, while another of his brothers, Paul, died little more than a year ago.
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This year’s row, he said, was particularly in memory of “my best mate, Keith Marland, and Brian Thomas”.
Keith, he said, was a “hero”, and a fisherman who “always had time for people”.
Ray said: “It’ll carry on until I can’t do it anymore. I still feel pretty fit!
“This year, we raised £4,000 – not bad for a morning’s work!
“When I see all the kids and everyone waving me off at Connah’s Quay Docks, it does make a difference.”
Rowing 12 miles from Connah’s Quay Docks to Chester Weir, Ray completed the challenge this year in 50 minutes, and was accompanied by his friend, Casey Burke, who “still comes with me every year”.
Ray hails from a fishing family; and completes the annual challenge by rowing in his fishing boat, still loaded up with nets and equipment.
Casey Burke added: "He’s a relentless fundraiser and a completely selfless human, he will do anything for anyone and deserves national recognition for his lifetime devotion to fundraising."
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