IT was a wonderful trip down memory lane for Val Bugden-Cawsey, who was lucky enough to meet two of the Osmonds on a trip to the Houses of Parliament last week.

Val, her husband Terry, from Launceston, and granddaughter Laura were treated to a tour of the House of Commons and House of Lords last Wednesday while they were in London, thanks to their MP Scott Mann.

Jay and Merrill Osmond were welcomed to the Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions by Speaker John Bercow, who said: “Just before I call (shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry), I should mention we are fortunate enough today to be joined in one of our galleries by two members of the Osmond family — Jay and Merrill Osmond.

“It takes some of us back to the 1970s. We are very pleased to have you. Well done.”

The duo have been touring together, performing their show Vintage. The Osmonds’ string of hits, including Crazy Horses, propelled the US family group to worldwide stardom.

Val said she was completely star-struck when she spotted the brothers sitting just a short distance from her, and was thrilled to meet two of the faces from the posters she had on her wall as a teenager. She said it took her straight back to being 16 again.

She also remarked on how wonderful their tour was around the Houses of Parliament and said it allowed Terry and Laura to make special memories.

Val is still in disbelief following the overwhelming support she received before, during and after her event ‘Val Walks Tall in the Face of Malignant Melanoma’ at the start of this month in Launceston.

Val is on a quest to raise as much money as possible for local research at Derriford Hospital so that others who may find themselves with the same diagnosis as Val in future have a better chance at beating it

Val, Launceston town councillor, former president of St Stephens by Launceston Women’s Institute and well known across the South West for her circuit speaking, was sadly diagnosed with an advanced and rare type of malignant melanoma, and in May was given six months to live.

In her own words, she said she decided ‘not to take this lying down’ — and instead vowed to ‘walk tall’ in spite of the diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and a trial drug would only offer a small per cent chance of more time, but with chronic side effects.

Every penny that has been donated will go to ‘Val’s Malignant Melanoma Research Fund’ based at Derriford Hospital, which Val has said ‘is a wonderful legacy’.

The walk on July 1 raised £6,200, and to date in total around £12,000 has been raised. There is a target of £50,000, and lots of local people have been organising their own events to raise money.

All donations are very gratefully received. Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/val-walks-tall or cheques made payable to Plymouth Hospitals Charity, with Val Bugden-Cawsey written on the reverse, can be sent to Rob Turton, Charitable Funds Accountant, Ground Floor, NU Building, Brest Road, Plymouth, PL6 5YE.

Donations marked Val Bugden-Cawsey can also be sent to G F Gubbin Funeral Directors, Penlaurel, Langdon, Launceston, PL15 8NL or 01566 785340, and Launceston Town Council can also accept donations.