During lockdown, many fundraising groups and charities were hit hard – with fundraising activities having to be cancelled.

One of those groups was Pontllanfraith Inner Wheel.

The group, which was originally set up in 1986 for the wives of Pontllanfraith Rotary Club members, was unable to carry out its usual fundraising activities – so began making and selling face masks.

In doing so, the group has so far raised more than £2,000, which has been donated to Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach.

Of the £2,000, half will go towards a reclining chair for the Bedwas ward at the hospital, while the other half will go towards the new breast care unit.

The breast care unit is set to open at the hospital in 2022, with a fundraising group – The Friends of the ABUHB Breast Unit – set up in 2018 to raise £200,000 towards extra services the NHS is unable to provide.

Inner Wheel member Diane Lloyd, who was the group’s President during lockdown, said: “When the coronavirus raised its head, it was clear that none of our usual fundraising events were going to take place.  We needed to find new sources of funds.

“Three Inner Wheel women set about making three-layered face masks and very soon orders came rolling in.

“This has been a team effort with generous donations from members.”

As well as making and selling face masks, the group also raises money through activities such as cream tea sales and auctions, as well as selling homemade jam and chutney made by group members.

But it’s not just local causes that benefit from the group’s fundraising efforts – charities across the world, such as WaterAid and leprosy charities, also benefit from donations.

Over Christmas, the group holds collections at Ystrad Mynach Tesco accompanied by Pontllanfraith Rotary Club, whose members attend alongside Father Christmas and his sleigh.

The Inner Wheel currently has 22 members and meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Three Horseshoes in Pentwynmawr.

Anyone interested in joining Pontllanfraith Inner Wheel or making a contribution can call Diane Lloyd on 01443 831392.