Tom and Nic Garland have been chosen to switch the Christmas lights on in the Market Place this year. The brothers were nominated by their proud Mum, Sarah, and they were chosen by a team led by Councillor Caroline Bennett from among dozens of others. Caroline told the Ross Gazette that their story was amazing for two young men.

MUM, Sarah Garland, is so proud of her teenage sons, who raised £1,800 for charity by rowing 100 miles along the River Wye, that she nominated them to switch on the Christmas lights in Ross.

She did not tell them about the nomination, which was made through the Ross Gazette, until the message came through that they had been chosen. They were surprised and delighted as they hope that this will be a further chance for them to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.

Tom Garland, who is 19, told the Gazette that this cancer has the lowest survival rate, and as they have two family members who have experienced it they wanted to do something to help. The explained that their aunt and uncle, who are brother and sister have both suffered with it. Their uncle, Geoff Waite, died just a few days after his initial diagnosis but their aunt is currently receiving treatment.

Sarah’s nomination said:?“My teenage boys, Tom and Nic did the ‘Wye100 mile’ for pancreatic cancer. They did this to raise awareness of this awful illness which has hit two very close family members. They raised over £1750 and completed this challenge over four days in very bad weather, determined to go on.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.