Chance meeting at Tesco led to donation towards ‘Dash’ cancer charities

Report by Don Hale

A chance meeting in Tesco at Llandudno Junction this week between joint Deganwy Dash organiser John Hatton and checkout worker Beverly Miles led to a surprise but welcome cash boost towards children’s cancer charities.

John, who has helped organise and promote this popular 5-mile Dash for many years with North Wales Road Runners Club colleague Carla Green, said this year’s event, held last night (Friday), will now be known as Rohan’s Run, in memory of an extraordinary young student, Rohan Ingley, who tragically lost his long battle with leukaemia in August 2018, aged just 17.

Rohan from Abergele, was a highly talented all-rounder, who excelled at sport and music, and was a very popular student at the King’s School in Chester.

John explained how this particular donation came about: “I was in Tesco recently, and Beverly at the checkout heard me talking about the race and raising money for Cancer in Children.

“Beverly said her mother had died from cancer and that they had raised a small amount of money in her memory. She said I could have the money and put it to this cause, and later presented it to me at a very emotional handover. I felt very humble.

“Her mother was Diane Robinson, and both Beverly and her sister Karen Hughes wanted it dedicated
in their names. The money will be going to Young Lives vs Cancer Charity.”

This is the first time the race has been held since 2019 due to pandemic restrictions and all proceeds from tonight’s race will be donated to CLIC Sargent and Ronald McDonald House, Cancer in Children charities.

Sioned Terry, the classically trained mezzo-soprano Welsh soloist, attended the race and performed shortly before the start as a personal tribute to Rohan, who ironically was one of her former pupils when she worked as a music teacher.

The race has been sponsored by Tesco, Conwy County Borough Council and Spillane and Co, wealth management.

*Further details about the Deganwy/Dash or Rohan’s Run are available via this link:
https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=4754