A TEENAGER from Holyhead has been awarded as the runner-up in the Aber Falls Local Hero Competition for her dedicated contribution to charities and by donating care packages to a hospital.

Olivia Hart, 19, was chosen out of hundreds of nominations as a runner-up, predominantly for her Chemocare Bags project.

Olivia has hand-made and donated 390 bags to those undergoing treatment at Alaw Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

Alongside her charity work, Olivia is a student at Bangor University and works part-time at her Home Bargains.

Aber Falls Distillery launched the Local Hero Competition to mark the opening of its new Farmers Market in Abergwyngregyn on November 19, whereby Olivia and her family were all invited to attend and collect her prize.

Following the launch event, Olivia was presented with an Aber Falls deluxe Christmas hamper, filled with popular food and drink from North Wales as well as a bevy of spirits from Aber Falls, including its latest single malt Welsh whisky.

James Wright, managing director at Aber Falls Whisky Distillery, said: “We wanted to mark our special occasion by celebrating our local heroes.

“Olivia is an extremely deserving runner up in the competition.

“Olivia’s ongoing fundraising efforts for a multitude of charities, alongside her dedicated work for her Chemocare bag project, is truly admirable, and we want to thank Olivia for her fundraising efforts for vital charities and persons in the local community.”

Olivia’s fundraising work coincides with her title of Royal International Miss UK Teen, which often includes fundraising for various charities, volunteering at events, and cleaning up across her community.

But the origins of Olivia’s Chemocare bag project are one much closer to her heart.

Olivia said: “I am delighted to be a runner up in the Aber Falls Local Hero Competition and am grateful for all those who chose me as a runner-up.

“My Chemocare bag project is of great meaning and importance to me personally, as my dad sadly had bowel cancer a couple of years ago and had to undergo chemotherapy treatment in 2019.

“Seeing first-hand the unpleasant side-effects himself and others were going through while undergoing treatment, I came to understand what items might help relieve these side-effects.

“From this, the Chemocare bag project was born in August 2020, and since then, I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to donate almost 400 bags to Alaw Day Hospital.”

Sara Jones nominated Olivia for the award added: “We are all in awe of Olivia and all that she has achieved in the local community, charities and most notably, her Chemocare bag project.

“Olivia is such an inspiration, managing to create something so fulfilling and selfless out of a truly tough situation.”

To find out how to get involved by donating funds or products to the Chemocare project, you can contact Olivia’s mother, Emma Hart, on: emjamliv@hotmail.co.uk.

You can find out more about Aber Falls and the Farmers Market by visiting: www.aberfallsdistillery.com.