Mick’s legacy provides community support

Community groups across Montgomeryshire, particularly in Llanfair Caereinion and the Banwy Valley have received new grants from The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund.

The Fund was set up by the family of our former Welsh Assembly Member following his death to bone cancer in 2022.

Since its launch, the Fund has raised and distributed £15,000 to support causes that echo Mick’s lifelong commitment to community, the environment, and opportunity for all especially young people and those most in need.

The decision-making panel have released the following:

• Llanfair United Football Club – £1,000
  For essential equipment to support the club’s growing junior membership.
• Dyffryn Banw Football Club – £1,000
  To develop the girls’ team through purchasing new equipment and kit to enable the club to host girls-only football festivals.
• Severn Hospice Support Group – £500
  To support the vital care for individuals with incurable illnesses in the local area.
• Llanidloes Chamber of Trade – £450
  To support the Chocolate Festival of Wales, including materials for young people and family-friendly workshops and activities.
• Ysgol Cwm Banwy – £500
  To fund a pupil-led pop-up Christmas restaurant promoting healthy, local Welsh produce. The event will be open to the community and aims to raise awareness of healthy eating and sustainability.
• Llanfair Caereinion YFC – £1,000
  To fund key activities for members including room hire for workshops and practices and materials for key events in the YFC calendar.

The Fund has also supported the following good causes:

• £2,000 to The Llanfair Caereinion Institute for hall and kitchen refurbishment
• £2,500 to Ffrindiau Ysgol Bro Caereinion for reusable cups and outdoor improvements
• £1,000 to the Llanfair Caereinion Bowling Club for new equipment.
• £600 to the Community Café for room hire and costs.
• £500 to Cancer Research (Llanfair Caereinion Branch)

The Fund is managed by Trustees Ruth Bates, Cllr Gareth Jones, Nic Davies, Betsan Llwyd, Cerys Metcalf, and Cadvan Evans, and administered by PAVO. It is a registered charity and reflects Mick’s lifelong commitments.

Cadvan Evans, Chair of the Trust, said: “The Mick Bates Community Memorial Fund helps keep Mick’s legacy alive by supporting the causes he cared about most - young people, the environment, those in need, and strong communities. We thank everyone who applied this year and we wish them every success with their activities.”