BRONGLAIS Hospital’s chemotherapy day unit has been given a bumper donation and it was a real ‘tail’ of success.

A special sheepdog sale was held at Talsarn and, thanks to donations from sellers and the auctioneers, more than £10,000 was raised towards a new chemotherapy day unit for Bronglais Hospital at Aberystwyth.

The sale was the brainwave of Cled Jones, a procurement fieldsman for Dunbia in Llanybydder, and some fellow passengers during a car journey.

Cled, 58, roped in beef and sheep farmer Rhodri Davies to help with organisation of the sale, which it is now hoped could become an annual event.

Sales takings totalled 42,700 guineas on the day, attracting more than 60 entries from across Wales and as far as Belgium.

The top price was 4,000gns for Don, a 21-month-old dog from Daniel Rees, of Bwlchyddwyallt, Pontrhydfendigaid. The dog’s new home will be in Belgium.

Sheepdogs are sold by the guinea, which are worth £1.05 – and dog sellers agreed to donate the 5p from every guinea made to the chemo unit appeal.

Auctioneers Mark Evans of Evans Bros, Llanybydder; Daniel Rees of D Arnold Rees of Devil’s Bridge; Llyr Jones of Newcastle Emlyn Livestock Mart; and Dylan Rees of D A G Jones, Tregaron also donated all their commissions to the chemotherapy appeal.

Farmer Dai Wright of Talsarn gave the use of his land for the event and Dunbia sponsored the programme. Dai who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, requested cash for the chemo unit in lieu of presents and added £1,350 to the total.

Among other numerous donation was £1,000 by HSBC Bank.

Cled said he was blown away by the success of the sheepdog sale.

“The crowd was unbelievable. We had hoped to raise around £1,500 but, with over £40,000 worth of dogs sold, we are able to present more than £10,000 to the chemo day unit at Bronglais.

Rhodri, of Swyddfynnon, said he was happy to support the event, after his 76-year-old mother Mair Hughes had successful chemotherapy treatment at Bronglais last year, followed by an operation, following a liver cancer diagnosis.

“Consultant Dr Elin Jones and all the chemotherapy day unit staff are brilliant. It was good to be able to help organise an event to give something back. And it is hoped we can make it an annual fundraising event,” he said

The cheque for £10,500 was handed over to staff from Bronglais Chemotherapy Day Unit at a special event in Lampeter Rugby Club on March 13.