1,000 metal detectors from around the world travelled to a site near the historic town of Marlborough for a charity weekend of metal detecting, raising £36,847 for The Forever Friends Appeal.

The event, dubbed ‘The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally’ was set up in 2018 by Gary Cook, in memory of his dad Rodney Cook who sadly passed away from cancer in 2017. Proceeds from the ticket sales, raffle and extras will go towards the Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospitals Bath.

Gary Cook, member of the Trowbridge and District Metal Detecting Club said: “The staff who cared for my father at the RUH were quite simply incredible, caring and wonderful people. I felt compelled to try and do something to raise some money for The Forever Friends Appeal to repay that kindness. So, from something awful, the RCM Rally was born.

This year was our third event, as the 2020 rally was cancelled due to the pandemic. This year’s event was a huge success, we were blessed with the weather and we raised a new record amount of £50,000 for local cancer charities.

“We were supported by many leading manufactures, dealers and retailers within the metal detecting community. We also had members of The Forever Friends Appeal team join us to help out and promote the charity. Many amazing finds were made over the course of the weekend including, Roman and Saxon coins along with some Celtic coins.

“Since its inception, the Rodney Cook Memorial Rally has raised a staggering £116,000 for charity, an amount we are all truly proud of. I would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation and running of this year’s event, everyone who has supported us and those that attended, please accept our heartfelt gratitude.

Laura Cherry, Events and Community Coordinator at The Forever Friends Appeal said, “Over the year, the Rodney Cook Memorial Rally has raised an exceptional amount, £75,325 to be exact, towards the Dyson Cancer Centre. On behalf of everyone at the charity, I would like to say a massive thank you to all the supporters of the rally, the incredible amount they have raised, as well as the awareness they have driven about our work, it’s truly inspiring.”

The Rodney Cook Memorial Rally organisers are always looking for new sites to hold future events. If there are any land owners who would like to help them out, please contact them via www.rodneycookmemorial.co.uk