Chairman’s Charities

The new chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council has announced his charities for his year in office.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths has chosen the Wales Talking Books Project (Llyfrau Llafar Cymru) and Tenovus West Wales Cancer Care.

He met representatives of the two charities in the Chairman’s Room in County Hall to discuss his support for them over the year ahead.

The Wales Talking Books Project is based at Parc Dewi Sant in Carmarthen and offers a service for people who are blind or have sight problems. It consists of a team of volunteers, led by two full-time staff, who record books, magazines and local papers on cassettes or CDs and distribute them to hundreds of people throughout Wales. Up to 40 books a year are recorded.

There is a campaign to reach more people, and the charity knows of nearly 1,500 people in Carmarthenshire alone who could benefit.

Llyfrau Llafar Cymru needs to raise £50,000 a year to sustain its service.

Llyfrau Llafar Cymru chair Sulwyn Thomas said: “We are very grateful to Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths for choosing us as one of his two charities.”

Tenovus Cancer Care aims to prevent, treat and find a cure for cancer. From its base in Penuel Street in Carmarthen staff and volunteers provide advice, counselling and fundraising support for the people of West Wales. Three mobile units bring treatment and support to people in their communities and a ManVan supports men living with and affected by prostate and testicular cancer.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths said: “I have chosen two causes with close connections to West Wales but which also serve people across Wales.”