A Sully resident and Cancer Research UK volunteer has raised £238 selling homemade jams, chutneys and marmalades.

Liz Roberts, who is on the local committee for Cancer Research UK in Penarth, started the sale after local fairs and other fundraising opportunities were cancelled due to COVID.

"I think it was about June, when I thought there was no way we were going to have our July summer fair," she tells Nub News. "'What am I going to do with all these jams and marmalades'? I usually make them throughout the years, and have a table at the faires for people to buy jams, chutneys and marmalades."

Liz decided to advertise her preserves on the Sully Village Group website and sell them for collection.

Her first sale drive took place in the summer to flog the huge range of jarred goods intended for the July fair. Conventional flavours were sold alongside chilli jams, grape chutneys and whisky marmalades.

"When October came along and I realised a there was no way we could have a November/Christmas fair, I did it again.

"This time I've raised £238, and I've still got a few orders trickling in. I'm sick of the sight of fruit to be honest with you! Luckily, we've got lots of fruit bushes and plants in our garden and most of the jams I make it's just the cost of the sugar."

Liz became involved with Cancer Research UK 25 years ago after her brother died of leukaemia. He was just 37-years-old.

"Everyone I know seems to have suffered with cancer themselves or have a close family member of friend that has. There can't be a single person that doesn't know of someone who died from cancer.

"What can I do to try help solve the problem? There's a long way to go, but we'll keep chipping away."

But unfortunately it has been a difficult year for fundraising. In a normal year, Cancer Research Penarth raises roughly £6,000. This year, they will be lucky to raise much more than £1,000.

"It's a big knock but it's better than nothing. We have to start thinking outside the box, because inside the box isn't allowed anymore.

"With another committee member I did the Race For Life back in September.

"We walked around our local Cosmeston Park, from her house. We did about 7km, but 5km is the official distance. We raised nearly £900 between us."

Well done Liz!