A WOMAN from Denbighshire who helped raise more than £30,000 in a year for Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan was honoured at the 2024 JustGiving Awards ceremony this week.

Sally Smart, 54, who lived in Prestatyn before moving to Tremeirchion, was part of a group of “breast friends” - 18 women with breast cancer who all received treatment through the hospital’s cancer unit.

In May, the group presented the cancer unit with a cheque for £30,100 after 12 months of tireless fundraising, including by creating and selling a nude calendar.

On Wednesday (September 18), Sally attended The Roundhouse, in London, having been one of three people chosen from 18,000 nominees to make the shortlist for the JustGiving Awards’ creative fundraiser of the year prize.

She did not win – losing out to Emma Webb, who walked from Wales to London pulling a life-size resin horse statue in memory of her daughter, who took her life – but said she still enjoyed an “amazing night” with seven of her “breast friends”.

Sally and some of her breast friends at the awards ceremonySally and some of her breast friends at the awards ceremony (Image: Sally Smart)

Sally said: “It was amazing. There was billboard at the side of The Roundhouse with my face on it - it was just bonkers!

“There must have been 60 to 70 tables, and cameras everywhere. (Actress and presenter) Sunetra Sarker, and (former Paralympian swimmer) Ellie Simmonds were on our table.

“The celebrities were absolutely fantastic. Sunetra had lost a friend to breast cancer, so was genuinely interested in our stories.

“My film was the first film to be shown, and Sunetra mentioned us in her speech, which was just so lovely, and meant the world to us.”

Sally was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of 2022, before completing her course of chemotherapy later that year.

She wanted to support the unit after the “phenomenal” treatment she has received there since she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sally and some of her breast friends at the awards ceremonySally and some of her breast friends at the awards ceremony (Image: Sally Smart)

Sadly, Sally received a second breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year, so is currently undergoing chemotherapy again.

Despite her “harsh regime”, she was determined to attend Wednesday’s event, and is also going to The Butterfly Breast Cancer Awards in Northwich tonight (September 20), where she also been nominated for a prize.

Sally added: “It was just an amazing night. It was one of those memories I think we’ll all treasure forever.

“I was in floods of tears at hearing the stories of other people. It makes you very humbled.

“I was praying I would be well enough to go. I did take it easy, but it was so worth it.”