The urgent need to help hungry local people cope with the cost-of-living crisis has seen a Monmouth based group give £1,700 to a Valleys food bank.

Demand is up by half since the beginning of the year at Eastern Valley Foodbank based at Pontypool, said manager Helen Leek. “The last quarter of the year has always proved the busiest time for us. Each £1,000 we are given will buy approximately half a tonne of food, providing 150 people with a three-day emergency food parcel,” she said.

The £1,700 donation by Catholic men’s association Monmouth Wyedean Catenians (MWC) follows more than £8,000 raised for local and national charities over the past six years, including donations to the Catholic International Development Organisation (CAFOD), Riding for the Disabled, British Heart Foundation and as selected for 2023, the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA). Outgoing president Malcolm Rebeiro chose the Eastern Valley Foodbank, where his wife Hilary volunteers, as his charity.

MWC are one of hundreds of Catenian circles in Britain and abroad, started in Manchester more than a century ago. Members meet for meals and outings and encourage family participation at all their charitable and social events. Visit monmouthwyedeancatenians.com to learn more about the Catenians.