Coventry Building Society has made a grand donation to St David’s Hospice Care to ensure a sizzling start to the fund raising year.

The Coventry’s branch in Bank Street, Chepstow, has donated £1,000 to the Gwent charity to pay for barbeque equipment to be used at fundraising events throughout the area.

The first outing for the top-of-the-range kit will be at the finish line for the Tour de Gwent bicycle ride on Sunday, March 29.

Customer service specialist Debra Evans said: “As part of the community partners programme each branch supports a charity or community group through fundraising and volunteering. The society also awards grants to community partners that need specific equipment, so we’re thrilled that we have been able to help St David’s Hospice Care in this way.

“We have been supporting the charity since 2009 with staff and members getting involved in a variety of fund raising events, including our recent Christmas raffle which raised an impressive £283.”

Debra herself is in training for the Severn Bridge Half Marathon and the branch staff are also gearing up to take part in the 50th annual Monmouth Raft Race later in the year.

Tania Ansell, of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “The Chepstow branch are stalwart supporters of our charity. We’re delighted with the barbeque equipment which, along with the marquee they purchased for us last year, will make a big difference to our fundraising events.”

The Coventry Building Society team which together raise money for St David’s Hospice Care are: Catherine Lansdown, branch manager and Debra Evans, Sharon Lambert, Leigh Fawcett, Claire Rastall, Tess Price, Angela Hughes, Mo Pidgeon and Josh Lewis

*The Coventry Building Society is entering the Monmouth raft race for the first time this year and are looking for help with materials and putting together a craft for the race. If you can help please contact Debra Evans on 01291 625769.