They say charity begins at home, but Menter a Busnes (MaB) staff have been out and about undertaking a variety of community charity projects throughout Wales – and has revealed its principal charity for 2020.
MaB staff volunteered at a Caernarfon foodbank, helped Nant Conwy Rugby Club to clear up the flood-damage caused by Storm Ciara, and cleaned Llansteffan Beach.
They also embarked on a programme of fundraising for children’s hospices Tŷ Hafan and Tŷ Gobaith – MaB’s main fundraising cause for the coming year.
Said MaB Director, Elen Llwyd Williams, “Following the success of our volunteering day to celebrate St. David’s Day last year where MaB staff volunteered their time in their local communities and for local charities, we decided to hold it again this year.
“The volunteering day aims to give something back to our communities across Wales and to celebrate the ‘little things’ that are done each day by communities and charities across the country.
“Once again, our staff have thrown themselves into helping others with a range of projects. The recent storms have caused misery and hardship for so many people in Wales. So, staff felt it important that part of this year’s volunteer day focussed on the donation of items for those who have lost their belongings to the floods.”
In addition to the volunteer day activities, independent economic development company MaB adopts a charity to support for 12 months. In 2019 the charity was MIND, and MaB raised £1,600.
The focus for 2020’s fundraising will be Tŷ Gobaith – a children’s hospice in Conwy which has a sister hospice (Hope House) in Oswestry – and Tŷ Hafan in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Said Elen, “It was a privilege to visit Tŷ Gobaith to meet staff and children and see first-hand the difference the charity’s work makes to those who use its services.
“Over the next 12 months MaB will be organising and taking part in several activities to help raise funds and awareness of the inspirational work Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan do in caring and supporting children and their families.”
Said Eluned Yaxley, Tŷ Gobaith area fundraiser, “Every week, three local families face their biggest fear and their child dies. We at Tŷ Gobaith and Hope House cannot stop children dying. When they’re facing the most devastating loss of their lives we must be there.
“We must reach every child, mum, dad, sister and brother. As a charity, we need an annual income of over £6.5 million to meet the needs of all who rely on us and almost all of this is raised voluntarily.
“We’re delighted and looking forward to the charitable partnership with Menter a Busnes and together with their generous support and enthusiasm and that of the wider community, we will ensure that no one suffers the loss of a child alone.”
