Corporal Michael Thacker was killed in Afghanistan in June and left behind his wife Catherine and their two-year-old daughter Millie. Cpl Thacker was a pupil at Fairwater High School.

Since then his close friend Dave Allison, a former pupil of St Alban's RC High School in Pontypool, who served with him in The Royal Welsh, has helped raised £6,500 for Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity that supports the children of soldiers killed in action.

In September Dave, who is from Pontnewydd, joined five others to run 40 miles over two days. The six men managed to raised over £5,000 in sponsorship.

Last Saturday night he organised a fundraising night in Cwmbran Rugby Club.

Dave said: “It was a charity night to raise money for Scotty's Little Soldiers. This charity looks after children of fallen heroes like my close pal Mike Thacker who died in Afghanistan on 1 June.”The night consisted of a live band called Novelty Items, a really great band from Caerleon. We also had a disco and a buffet. The raffle was brilliant with 28 prizes all donated by the public. All the money taken on the night went to the charity and the total raised was £1,430. Amazing.

“And to top it all I personally think that everyone had a fab night including Mike's family who came along.”

Scotty’s Little Soldiers is dedicated to supporting the children of men and women killed in action while serving with the British Armed Forces. The charity provides treats, trips and activities for families of the fallen with the aim of offering a respite – however brief – from the daily ups and downs of coping without a loved one.

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