An Oakdale family who have dedicated their time to fundraise in the memory of their late son have been named as finalists for this year’s St David Awards.
June Thomas and husband Grant, together with son Owain, launched an appeal with charity Welsh Hearts to provide every secondary school in Caerphilly County Borough with a defibrillator.
In 2012, June and Grant’s son Jack died unexpectedly from an undiagnosed heart condition aged just 15.
Since then, June has campaigned for a change in the law to make it a requirement that heart defibrillators are installed in every public building.
The appeal managed to raise more than £32,500 in just a year.
The family are now in the running for a St David Award, a scheme run by the Welsh Government to recognise people’s achievements.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Once again the finalists in our St David awards are an exceptional group of people. It’s going to be tough to choose the winners; every one of them is a credit to Wales.
“I’d like to thank all those who nominated in this year’s awards, you’ve put forward some fantastic people. I look forward to marking their achievements at the main awards ceremony in March.”
The winners will be announced on March 10.