Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logosColeg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai logos

Grŵp staff help raise £1k for Shelter Cymru at Wrexham game

Melanie Reid and Moya Seaman were among a team of volunteers who gave up their time just before Christmas to collect donations for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s chosen charity

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai staff helped raise more than £1,300 for Shelter Cymru during Wrexham AFC’s recent win over Newport County.

Coleg Llandrillo liaison and engagement officer Melanie Reid and Grŵp skills manager Moya Seaman were among a team of volunteers taking donations at The Racecourse.

Giving up their time just two days before Christmas, they raised £1,312.07 from bucket collections at the turnstiles of the famous stadium.

Wrexham beat their Welsh rivals Newport 2-0 on the day to stay in the League Two promotion places, and fans of both clubs gave generously.

Shelter Cymru, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s chosen charity for the 2023-24 academic year, helps thousands of people each year across Wales who are affected by the housing emergency.

The charity offers free, confidential and independent advice, and helps people to find and keep a safe home.

Moya said: “Cartref yw popeth - Home is everything. It's shocking to think that 3,500 children in our communities in Wales will be homeless this winter. At Christmas time this seems to impact so much more. That's why I wanted to donate some time to support Shelter Cymru.

“The wonderful Wrexham and Newport fans were so friendly and generous and I'm looking forward to supporting the charity again this year.”

Melanie said: “We're all aware of the impact the cost of living crisis is having on our communities.

“Finding a safe home at an affordable cost is becoming increasingly difficult, which is why it is so important to support fantastic charities like Shelter Cymru who offer support, raise awareness and campaign for everyone to have this basic necessity.

“It was amazing to experience the generosity of the Wrexham and Newport fans on the day. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was electric.”

Frankie Mairs, Shelter Cymru Regional Fundraiser for North Wales, said: “We had a brilliant day at Wrexham AFC bucket collection. The kindness and generosity shown by both Wrexham and Newport fans was outstanding, raising a huge £1,312.07.

“Our events and bucket collections are only made possible by the support of our community. I would like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers from the Grŵp who supported us on the day. We couldn’t have done it without you.

“The Fight For Home continues, and we look forward to working with the Grŵp during 2024. Diolch yn fawr pawb.”

For more information about Shelter Cymru, or to donate, visit sheltercymru.org.uk