A HOST of “outstanding” photographs are featured in a 2021 calendar designed to raise funds for Cancer Research Wales in memory of 13-year-old schoolboy Tom Walker.
The youngster’s family spearheaded an incredible £100,000 fundraiser to pay for a research foundation scholarship after the Monmouth School for Boys’ pupil’s sudden death in 2018.
And now the calendar, featuring 192 images from more than 700 submitted by 80 photographers, is set to boost the fund further in tribute to the Devauden teen.
Head of Art Matt Peake organised the photo competition during lockdown in 12 categories: little and large, reflection, pattern and texture, distortion, animals, shadow and silhouette, movement, man- made, close up, black and white, organic and colour.
The front of the calendar features the winning photographs in each category chosen by Tom’s grandfather and they form a border around an image of the teenager.
Tom was a keen swimmer for his school and Monnow Swimming Club, was learning to row on the River Wye and played the drums with the school orchestra.
In March 2018, he was the youngest of 90 people who defied cold and wet conditions to tackle the Brecon Beacons Night Hike to raise funds for Cancer Research Wales, but less than three months later he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Mum and dad Tim and Debbie and sisters Holly and Emily founded the Tom Walker Cancer Wales PHD Studentship for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Research foundation in memory of the “quiet, considerate and caring” teenager, after fundraising efforts backed by the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools community raised £100,000 in just 11 months.
Fundraisers included two ‘Swim for Tom’ 12-hour marathons at Monmouth School for Girls’ swimming pool, which saw more than 1,000 swimmers take the plunge.
Last February, Tom’s family were among the special guests at the Prime Minister’s St David’s Day reception at 10, Downing Street in recognition of their work raising money for Cancer Research Wales.
The new calendars are now available for a minimum donation of £5 each.
People can email [email protected] for more information and to place orders.