Caerphilly County Borough Council and local schools are joining forces to raise money for families of the Gleision Colliery tragedy, in which four miners died.
Across the organisation, events are being organised. Council staff are paying £1 to dress down for the day and there’ll be a book fair at their HQ building Penallta House to raise more money.
The staff and service users at Twyn Carn Day Centre Risca are holding a weekly raffle to raise money for the appeal.
Cllr Allan Pritchard, leader of the council, said: “As a former mining area and as a miner myself, this is an appeal we felt we must support.”
Schools across the area will also be fundraising.
Greenhill Primary are going to use their annual Harvest Appeal in October for this fund, while Glyn-gaer Primary School we will be having a movie afternoon.
Its a non-uniform day at Ty Isaf Infants and many parents have expressed their support for this event. Crumlin High Level School and Upper Rhymney Primary will also be holding events this week and next.
Cllr Vera Jenkins, the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough, said: “I am overwhelmed with the support we are generating and if local people want to add their contributions they can, we are hoping to send the money off at the end of September. Whatever we raise, another 25p in the pound will be added to it by the Government through gift aid.”
The tragedy of Gleision Colliery – where four miners died – has been a stark reminder of Wales’ coal mining heritage.
Speaking at the Assembly this week, First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “There was a time in our history when mining tragedies were sadly common. We had hoped that these events were in the past.
“The incident at Gleision is a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with the mining industry.”
He added: “I’ve referred to the shared history of coal mining which still forms a powerful bond among communities in many parts of our country. The tragedy at Gleision is a tragedy for Wales.”
Blackwood band the Manic Street Preachers have also pledged their support to the fund, which has topped £100,000.
Phillip Hill, 45, Garry Jenkins, 39, David Powell, 50, and Charles Breslin, 62, died after being trapped in the flooded Gleision Colliery at Cilybebyll near Pontardawe last Thursday.
Three other miners escaped.