IT'S the end of an era for one charitable group as they make their final donation to another local organisation.

When Blaenavon's Community Hospital closed for good at the end of November last year, it also signalled the end of the hospital's fund raising arm, the Welfare Committee.

The original hospital had been paid for with money from the miners as an early provision of facilities for the workers in 1927 and built in the local park.

The replacement healthcare facility was built just over 25 years ago and its final use was as a nine inpatient facility for people recovering from illness or trauma.

The Blaenavon Hospital Welfare Committee was originally set up in the 1920s to improve the facilities at the hospital for patients.

The final act for the Welfare Committee was to distribute its remaining balance that had built up from its own fund raising events, along with donations from well wishers.

Pauline Whitcombe, secretary for the Blaenavon Hospital Welfare Committee said that the remaining balance totalled £1,400 and a decision was taken amongst members to present a cheque to the residents of the Arthur Jenkins Residential Home so that it would boost the facility's amenities fund.

Mrs Whitcombe added: "The committee have been together for a long time and with the demise of the hospital, we had to take the decision that for us this was the end of an era and we are all very sad to see it all go.