FOR the third year running our Elympics have proven a great success and this year we ran the event as part of the Ely Festival.

I would like to give a big thank you to Hywel Dda, Windsor Clive, St Francis, St Fagans, Mill Bank Primary, Trelai Primary and Pen Caerau for taking part in the Elympics event.

It was truly an amazing day and without the support of the local schools this event would not have been the success it was. A little bit of rain never deterred the children.

I would also like to thank Ely Play Centre, North Ely Youth Centre, Communities First and

Sports Cardiff for their ongoing support.

Sports Cardiff organised pupils from Michaelston College to help out on the day of the Elympics and the pupils did an amazing job.

A big thank you to all the parents who took part in the parents' race; you made the event so much more fun.

We were short on tables and chairs and worried about getting medals for this event, so we are grateful to Neighbourhood Management and the Ely Festival Committee for their support in funding this event.

Last but not least I would like to

thank our local flower shop, Market Garden from Michaelston, for dressing up the winning trophy free of charge, and for always showing true support for the Ely community in past events.

Well done to St Francis for winning this year's Elympics and a big thank you to all of the above for making this event the success it was; we look forward to doing it all again next year. Also a big thank you to the Echo for the coverage they gave the Elympics.

Lynda Sullivan

Secretary of

Ely Garden Villagers

and Cardiff Hibernian Mini/youth FC

St Francis Primary School, Ely, Winners of this year’s Elympics

Thanks to all who helped out

I AM really pleased Neil Branson and his family enjoyed our firework display (You Say, November 11) and I would like to thank him for his Kind words.

This bonfire night proved that Ely is a community very alive and kicking. The Ely Garden Villagers worked with many partnerships to ensure our show went ahead this year. This year's firework display was in memory of Davena Hemburrow and the EGVs would like to say that without Mr Hemburrow's support this display would not have gone ahead.

To organise this event needs ongoing commitment, from the EGVs finding the funding and the support of the community. We had so many wanting to steward the event we ran out of high-visibility vests.

This just proves the community wants to change the way Ely is portrayed.

We had more than 3,000 people turn up for our firework display which, for the fourth year, was displayed by Dragon Fire who have always done an amazing display.

This event was stewarded by the Ely community. A big thank you to ' Gary Collins, Kevin Jones and Cardiff Hibernians, to Communities First (an extra big thank you) to North Ely Youth Centre, and Ely Play Centre (both are closed at weekends so special thanks to all staff for volunteering on a Saturday).

A special thanks also to Communities First, Neighbourhood Management for your support in funding this event and to Cardiff Round Table for their donation and to many who sent cheques and wanted to remain anonymous. The funding was well appreciated, everyone went home happy and we have had fantastic feedback a big thank you to the Echo and Real Radio for advertising our event.

The EGVs may organise the firework display, but it is the community volunteers and all those who attend from Ely and outside Ely who make it the success it is, so many thanks to you all.

Lynda Sullivan

Secretary of Ely Garden

Villagers and Cardiff Hibernian

Youth

Proud of Rob's charity heroics

THE Ely Garden Villagers and Cardiff Hibernian FC would like to say how proud we are of our under-13s coach Rob Loader.

A story went into the Echo to let  people know about his sponsored walk for a family with a little boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy ("Fundraiser Rob is in the premier league", November 26).

Rob wants to help raise money for the family to go on the holiday of a life time while the young lad is still able to do so. So I thought I would keep Echo readers updated.

Rob is on target and doing Ely proud. He has battled some bad weather and has worse weather ahead of him.

However, everyone who knows Rob knows he will carry on. He is a true champion in the eyes of Ely.

He's been really lucky with so many supporting him and has had many offers of overnight stays from kind-hearted people and hotels and bedsits offering their support.

Rob has kept us all updated on Face Book and Twitter he updates every day and tells some lovely stories along with some lovely pictures.

Please feel free to follow Rob on Facebook and Twitter on @robsstadiumwalk and read his updates. If you would like to donate we have a giving set-up on www.elygardenvillagers.co.uk or alternatively send a cheque to Ely Garden Villagers (all details are on our website).

Rob is more than happy if people could be kind enough to tape a pound coin to a Christmas card every little is very much appreciated!

Lynda Sullivan

Secretary of Ely Garden Villagers

and Cardiff Hibernian Youth/Mini

Rob Loader on his football stadium travels

Lynda's a star of Ely

A COMMUNITY campaigner who devotes her spare time to helping others has been awarded an Echo Bouquet of the Week.

Grandmother of three Lynda Sul­livan, from Ely, Cardiff, devotes hours every week to helping oth­ers.

Along with her husband Pete, a train driver, she runs charity Ely Garden Villagers and children's football team Cardiff Hibernians.

The team, who play at North Ely Rec, is overflowing with requests to join after the couple set it up to keep young people off the streets.

Mum of two Lynda, a carer, said she "couldn't believe it" when she was told she'd been nominated for a bouquet.

I'm very, very pleased," she said.

"Every time I read them and see them being handed out I think it's lovely that those people are being recognised.

"We've never set out for personal gains or anything.

"Our pleasure is always seeing other people's faces when they have done something they didn't think they could do."

Lynda was nominated by friend Sandra Morgan, who wanted to pay tribute to the tireless work the 47-year-old does across the com­munity.

Sandra said: "I just wanted to

praise her dedication, determin­ation and everything she does for the community here in Ely.

"There are so many reasons her trustworthiness, the fact she is there for everyone. If she can help you she will."

If you know someone who deserves a bouquet, e-mail your nomination, with your reasons and your details, to echo.news-desk@walesonline.co.uk marked Bouquet of the Week. 8 Or write to Bouquet of the Week, South Wales Echo, Six Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR. Usual terms and conditions ap­ply and all nominees must agree to be photographed.

Ciaran Jones

ciaran.jones@walesonline.co.uk

Hibs! Hibs! Hooray!!

Cardiff Hibernian FC 2011/12

Last season our reserve side in the Cardiff combination league created a little bit of history by winning the treble, a feat that has never before been done by a reserve side. The side managed by Steven Price and captained by Danny

Hancock had lots to celebrate winning the Cardiff Combination League, The Sam Cornish Cup and The Milson Harries Cup. Our under 12s who won the league last season also did themselves proud by winning the league for the second year running this season for the under 13s and they will now be in the A side for under 14s and will be competing in the Cardiff & district A league. Cardiff Hibernian FC is based at the Wilson Road Recreation ground with the first side competing in the Welsh Amateur league and our reserves in the Cardiff combination league. We also have eight youth sides with ages starting from under 7s up through to Youth league. New players are always welcome, next season we will be looking for more under 19s, 16s, 15s, 11s and 8s. Through the summer holidays a free soccer camp will be held at the Rec - dates to be

announced and will be made available on www.erygardenvillagers.co.uk

Or you can contact Pete Sullivan 07500220379 or Kevin Jones 07557798161 or Lynda Sullivan 07825517555

Fancy having a bash at coaching? We are always looking for enthusiastic coaches as we are expanding and looking to create new teams, all coaching courses will be given free subject to Welsh FA CRB.

Peter Sullivan Chairman Cardiff Hibernian FC.

So proud of our children's generosity

I CANT tell you how overwhelmed I was when the local children within the Ely community told me they wanted to sacrifice their summer trip for our troops.

Our Royal Welsh and Welsh Guard soldiers were deployed in March this year and with my nephew being on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan I know how important a shoebox of goodies means. Not just the contents, but for the support, too, it really raises morale among the troops.

I started sending out these boxes in April this year and lots of my friends and family got on board and donated items for me to box up. We even had donations from local businesses joining in, to date I have sent out more than 500 boxes.

The local children were aware of this and always help the Ely Garden Villagers to post the Grapevine newsletters. With the money they earn for delivering them, the EGV take the children on a trip during the summer half term to Folly Farm or something similar.

However the children's wish this summer half term was to donate the money to our troops and give their summer trip a miss. I am truly touched by their generosity. Since the EGV was formed some four years ago now, there's been a vast difference in community spirit.

It is clearly noticeable that Ely is a very strong community and I would like to thank all the children for their support.

Julie Lewis, Ely, Cardiff

Cardiff's gesture turned awestruck youngsters into

Bluebird supporters

I would like to say a massive thank-you to Julian Jenkins from Cardiff City FC for the tickets given to the children from Cardiff Hibernians under-nines and under-lOs to attend the sell-out Boxing Day match.

The children along with myself and the coaches really enjoyed the match.

Some of the children who went along wouldn't normally get the opportunity to go to the fantastic stadium to watch a match and I'm sure they will remember the fantastic atmosphere and also the great result - Cardiff City 2 Crystal Palace 1 - thus keeping us top of Championship.

When Craig Bellamy came close to where we were sat to take a corner the children got really excited and chanted his name and I must admit to having a lump in my throat seeing how much they were enjoying the day. Even though it was very cold they smiled throughout and I'm sure that day they became Cardiff City fans.

Again, thank you so much Julian for the tickets and your ongoing support.

Pete Sullivan

Chairman, Ely Garden Villagers

and Cardiff Hibernian FC,

Ely, Cardiff