Shot couple's fund gathers pace

Ben and Catherine Mullany's fund will help continue their ambitions

The educational charity fund set up in memory of a couple who were shot on the last day of their Caribbean honeymoon has already raised more than £33,000.

The Mullany Fund was set up to continue the ambitions of Catherine and Ben Mullany, both from Pontardawe, Swansea Valley, to help care for others.

Launched in September, the fund is now well on its way to reaching its first target of £50,000.

Organisers said they hoped to start funding students within a year.

Mrs Mullany, a doctor, and trainee physiotherapist Mr Mullany, who were both 31, were killed in July on the last day of their honeymoon on Antigua.

A 20-year-old man and a youth of 17 have have been charged with their murders and remanded in custody.

Whilst we will never replace Cath and Ben, this fund will help others to fill their shoes and continue the work that they had started Fund spokesperson Nikki Shepherd

The couple's family and friends launched the fund in their name at about the time of their joint funeral held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff in September.

Nikki Shepherd, the fund's spokesperson, said: "The first stage of the process is to reach our initial fund target of £50,000 which will enable us to begin supporting students at the end of the first year of operation.

"We are well on the way to reaching our target, having raised over £33,000 in the 10 weeks since we launched.

"The second stage of the process will be to select a UK school of medicine and a UK school of physiotherapy to administer our first awards.

"Over time, we hope that additional UK schools of medicine and physiotherapy will become recipients of Mullany Fund support."

The Duchess of York's help has been "inspirational", according to the fund

The Duchess of York, who had met the couple's parents after the tragedy, is the fund's patron.

She attended the Llandaff service and made a £10,000 initial donation to the charity, a sum which remains its biggest donation so far.

Ms Shepherd said the Duchess of York and her staff "have helped enormously by providing advice and support".

"Her help has been invaluable and inspirational," she said.

People clicking onto the fund's website increased by 200 times on the day of the funeral as the story was on all the main news channels.

Fit young man

Fundraising activities have taken place including a harp recital, a stand up comedy gig, fancy dress parties, and a sports memorabilia auction where a pair of Enzo Maccarinelli's boxing gloves were sold for £400.

Next March, Ben's uncle Michael Meredith and Terry Maloney are to walk 176 miles along Offa's Dyke, before cycling back to south Wales.

"It's very personal for me," said Mr Meredith, from Pontllanfraith, near Blackwood, Caerphilly county, a lorry driver at a Tesco distribution centre at Magor in Monmouthshire.

"Ben was a very fit young man. It's very hard to put into words how I feel. Terry and myself, we just want to get though this to help the fund."

The two friends are already doing regular training walks of around 18 miles.

Mr Meredith added: "The amount we raise in itself isn't the important thing - it is doing the thing itself.

Ben's uncle Mike Meredith and friend Terry Maloney are raising funds

"It's going to be very difficult, very emotionally charged, but I know that we will do it."

The Mullany Fund has also been endorsed by former West Indies and Glamorgan cricketer Sir Viv Richards, who is the Antiguan sports and tourism ambassador.

Wales rugby captain Ryan Jones is another supporter along with Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez and TV presenter Sarra Elgan.

It has also had "excellent support" from Welsh rugby clubs the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues.

Nikki Shepherd said the fund had received donations from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and the US.

"Whilst The Mullany Fund helps family and friends to preserve Cath and Ben's memory, its main aim is to benefit the country as a whole," she said.

"The UK has lost a well-respected doctor and a promising young physiotherapist.

"Whilst we will never replace Cath and Ben, this fund will help others to fill their shoes and continue the work that they had started."