A community that has rallied to support the grieving families of five young people from a Powys village have helped raise more than £40,000 for charities and good causes to keep their memories alive.

Sws on the Loose, which began in Caersws in 2022, is a tribute to 12-year-old Casey Breese, his sister Kelly Breese, 18, their brother-in-law Thomas ‘Winnie’ Evans, 34, Owen Bennett, 18, and Emma Loisz, 30.

Organisers say the annual summer football festival and family fun day with a music festival at night “seems to get bigger every year”.

Four teams played in the Thomas ‘Winnie’ Evans Cup with 70 players taking part. It was the red team, managed by Winnie’s brother Lee Evans and captained by Emma Loisz’s brother and Winnie's dear friend Ben Loisz, who lifted the trophy after victory at the Recreation Ground on June 1.

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Karl Wigley, Sws on the Loose chairman, said: “Our fundamental principles in holding this event are firstly, supporting the families of those who have lost dear ones in the village. We aim to support them through their grief and keep their young memories alive.

“Secondly, we aim to bring our community together whether it be on the day or throughout the year where we donate all profits back into local charities and organisations either through donating money or by doing projects where we pay for materials and donate our time.”

During the past three years, 17 charities and organisation have benefited from more than £40,000 raised from Sws on the Loose.

Most recently the toilet facilities for Caersws Football Club’s junior side have been developed, and the next project will see the village’s older residents benefiting from a meal which has been cooked and supplied by donations from the festival.

Sws on the Loose chairman Karl Wigley with Winnie's mum Jayne Evans and Casey's mum Sian Breese at the inaugural event in 2022.

“What amazes me annually is seeing the amount of happiness this brings to our amazing community who have lost so much and really brings everyone together,” Karl added.

“It's also really amazing to see some of the charities we have helped come down to the event every year and help out like Ponthafren, The Game Change Project and St John’s Ambulance to name a few.

“I must say how proud we are of our community for backing this event each year and a special thanks to all our sponsors who again have given so generously for us to put it on and ensure as much money raised goes to charities.”

Sws on the Loose has been confirmed that it will return to Caersws’ Rec on Saturday, June 14, 2025. More information about the festival can be found on the Sws On The Loose page on Facebook.

Caersws' tragic loss of young lives

Casey Breese lost his life while playing with friends at the Rec after a goalpost fell on him 13 years ago.

His sister Kelly Breese was 18 years old when she was in a Vauxhall Corsa which crashed into a tree on the B4568 between Llanwnog and Aberhafesp, near Newtown, in October 2013.

Their brother-in-law Winnie died aged 34 in a car crash between Caersws and Trefeglwys in September 2021. 

Young carpenter Owen Bennett died aged 18 in a crash outside Aberhafesp on May 2, 2022. 

In July last year, Emma Loisz, who lived at Plas Maldwyn in Caersws, died after she was found following concerns by her friends and family.