Relay raises £100 for Valeplus (From Penarth Times)

Relay raises £100 for Valeplus

PENARTH and Dinas Runners have used their Cosmeston Lakes Relay as a charity fund raising event since it was inaugurated.

Last summer the proceeds were donated to a local organisation run by a former club chairman, Melanie Carter.

Melanie took the brave step of resigning from her special needs teaching post to create Valeplus.

The organisation was established to provide a much needed facility for adults with learning difficulties.

She is ably assisted by business partner Steve Thomas and between them they purchased and converted a chapel in High Street, Barry.

It opened as a centre in September and has attracted great interest and has already in excess of 40 adults attending regularly.

Valeplus offers accredited computer courses, life skills, catering and leisure activities.

Clients have a range of disabilities from autism to Down's Syndrome.

Without the centre many would be walking the streets with nothing to do.

The running club was proud to get involved and added to the funds raised by the races and were able to hand over a donation of £100.

The club would also like to offer its best wishes to the venture and hopes it goes from strength to strength.