STAFF at McCartneys estate agents have helped raise nearly £7,000 for mental health charity Mind.

Having initially raised £5,517, the partners of the business decided to round up that figure to £6,000; meaning the four local Minds in areas where McCartneys branches are located, including Brecon and District Mind, will each receive a cheque for £1,500.

Zoe Porter from Brecon and District Mind said: “We can’t thank McCartneys and everyone who helped them along the way enough.

“At a local level, we will be using the money to further our Community Wellbeing Service, demand for which has grown considerably over the last 12 months. Without donations like this we simply couldn’t continue to give people the support at a time when they need it.”

And there’s more good news on the fundraising front. The company also set up a Just Giving page in aid of the charity and this raised a further £834, which will go direct to Mind at a national level.

With 16 branches across four counties, McCartneys staff have taken part in all manner of challenges and fun activities from a fancy-dress day to a 35-mile cycle ride and seven-mile walk organised by Rob Fearnley who is based at McCartneys in Hay-on-Wye.

Customers and clients have also joined in with donations at McCartneys branches to livestock auctions.

Mr Fearnley said: “Mind is a charity that the whole company really wanted to get behind.

“We’ve had tremendous support from local businesses and our customers who have helped us achieve this figure.

“We know when it comes to mental health, living in a rural area like ours can bring its challenges, so we’re delighted that the charity will be using the money for their outreach programme.”

Anyone who has mental health concerns can visit the Brecon and District Mind website at www.breconmind. org.uk or call the Mind team on 01874 611529.