A Llandrindod Wells councillor has donated money to a school as part of its challenge for pupils to raise money to help local families.

Jake Berriman, the Powys County Councillor for Llandrindod North, donated £100 from his Llandrindod North Community Grant Fund to Ysgol Trefonnen which issued its challenge for pupils and parents to raise £20.22 in 2022 at the beginning of the month.

The school’s fundraiser, which can be done individually or as a family, allows participants to set their own challenge to make the experience as fun as possible.

Ysgol Trefonnen, which has Cllr Berriman as one of its governors, said at the beginning of February: “Get creative and we would love to see your photos too! All money raised will go into our community projects such as the community library, gardening projects, Christmas hampers, our ‘family fund’ and soon to be started Walking Bus.

“We are excited to see what you come up with and look forward to seeing those photos.”

The community facing school recently collected huge amounts for the Llandrindod Food Bank and is always looking for inventive ways to support pupils and families beyond the classroom.

Since lockdown, it has become aware of a number of families who are struggling financially and they have seen the affects this can have on well-being.

The school recently appointed Jen Craven (pictured with Cllr Berriman) to a community well-being role - currently the school refers families to the local Food Bank and other support services.

However, Jen said: “We wanted to be able to offer them something more so we have created a ‘Family Fund’ within the school. If families are struggling, for whatever reason, they can request assistance from our Family Fund.

“The money can go towards payment for school shoes or trainers, headlice treatment, high school uniform, a school trip or even utility bills, the well-being of our young learners is paramount ”.

Councillor Jake Berriman said “As someone growing up in a single parent household, when having free school meals still carried a bit of a stigma, I think what the school, where I am a Governor, are doing with this initiative is just fantastic and I am thrilled to be able to support it with a donation of £100 from my Llandrindod North Community Grant Fund”.