The Chairman of Cwmbran Community Council, Councillor Anthony Bird has cashed in personal charity fund early in order to help organisations providing relief to those suffering as a result of the current Covid-19 situation.
Councillor Bird said “Aside from the chairing of meetings and the meeting & greeting that goes into being Council Chair, one of my main activities has been raising money for worthy causes close to my heart. It has been my privilege to raise money for two brilliant charities throughout the year, Trac 2: A Torfaen based charity that aims to tackle crippling effects of poverty and social isolation and my local branch of the Royal British Legion in Pontnewydd, who support our former service men and women as they re-enter civilian life.”
Over the course of Councillor Bird’s term of office, around £600 was raised by generous support from the public and a kind donation from the Cwmbran Trust, and has taken place at council events throughout the course of the year.
Councillor Bird also said “I’ve decided to break with tradition and have taken the decision to release the funds before my term of office ends because, unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, the further fund raising opportunities that were planned have had to be cancelled, but more importantly I can see the vital need the organisations are facing in a time when they are needed more than ever.
Councillor Bird was elected Chairman of the Council in May 2019 and is the youngest person to hold the position. During his tenure as Chair, the council has hosted the Cwmbran Big Event for the first time, its first Gay Pride event, commemorated the 75th Anniversary of the D Day landings and helped to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Cwmbran as a New Town.
Sue Malson, Manager, and Nathan Yeowell, Chair of TRAC2 said:
‘The donation from the Chair of Cwmbran Community Council could not have come at a better time. Covid-19 has piled the pressure on families across Torfaen. Many families are feeling the pinch, still more are suffering after weeks of social isolation – all of them need our continued support.
‘The Chair’s donation will help us provide emergency provisions for these families, including food, PPE and gas and electricity payment.
‘A big thank you to Cwmbran Community Council from all of us a TRAC2 for your continued, generous support.’
The Royal British Legion echoed these sentiments. Martin Davies, Branch Secretary
Royal British Legion Pontnewydd Branch, said:
Donations form a major source of revenue for the Royal British Legion’. Each year more people come to the Legion for help and the cost of that help is continually increasing.
Especially in these difficult times with the added burden of the Covid19 pandemic. Daily we see and read of young Service men and women in many parts of the world, often in considerable danger, and this means that there will always be a need to provide help for them and their dependants, when they themselves no longer can. That is why it is so important that the Legion can continue with its vital work.