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| Gleision mining tragedy: £1m raised for families' fund | Gleision mining tragedy: £1m raised for families' fund |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A fund to support the victims of last year's Gleision mining tragedy has raised more than £1m as trustees prepare to wind it up. | A fund to support the victims of last year's Gleision mining tragedy has raised more than £1m as trustees prepare to wind it up. |
| Trustee Wayne Thomas praised not only the generosity of donors but also those who provided time and expertise. | Trustee Wayne Thomas praised not only the generosity of donors but also those who provided time and expertise. |
| He says over 99.95% of the money raised will go to the families of the four Swansea Valley miners killed. | He says over 99.95% of the money raised will go to the families of the four Swansea Valley miners killed. |
| It is hoped that all the relatives will receive their share before the 15 September anniversary of the disaster. | It is hoped that all the relatives will receive their share before the 15 September anniversary of the disaster. |
| Trustees who will officially wind up the fund on Monday say that out of £1.08m raised just £529 was spent on administration. | Trustees who will officially wind up the fund on Monday say that out of £1.08m raised just £529 was spent on administration. |
| They will meet Neath MP Peter Hain in order to make the final arrangements. | They will meet Neath MP Peter Hain in order to make the final arrangements. |
| Flooding | Flooding |
| David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, lost their lives in the disaster in the Swansea Valley. | David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, lost their lives in the disaster in the Swansea Valley. |
| Their bodies were recovered from the mine on 16 September last year after initial hope that rescue teams might be able to find them alive. | Their bodies were recovered from the mine on 16 September last year after initial hope that rescue teams might be able to find them alive. |
| Post-mortem examinations confirmed all four men died as a result of flooding in the pit. | Post-mortem examinations confirmed all four men died as a result of flooding in the pit. |
| "Initially we were astounded by the public's response to the disaster, as they just carried on sending money, with over £1m raised to date," Mr Thomas said. | "Initially we were astounded by the public's response to the disaster, as they just carried on sending money, with over £1m raised to date," Mr Thomas said. |
| "But then our thoughts had to turn to how we look after such a lot of money, and how we ensure that as much of it as possible gets directly to the families. | "But then our thoughts had to turn to how we look after such a lot of money, and how we ensure that as much of it as possible gets directly to the families. |
| "Obviously we were all desperate to keep administration costs down, but I never thought in a million years we'd keep it down to £529. I'm delighted." | "Obviously we were all desperate to keep administration costs down, but I never thought in a million years we'd keep it down to £529. I'm delighted." |
| As well as the cash pledges, the Coal Industry Social and Welfare Organisation (CISWO) donated staff and office resources to manage the fund, a solicitors' firm provided free legal advice, and accountants agreed to conduct the statutory audit of the charity for a charge of just 5p. | As well as the cash pledges, the Coal Industry Social and Welfare Organisation (CISWO) donated staff and office resources to manage the fund, a solicitors' firm provided free legal advice, and accountants agreed to conduct the statutory audit of the charity for a charge of just 5p. |
| The £1.08m will be divided eight ways, between the next of kin of the four dead men, and with separate trust-funds established for their four children. | The £1.08m will be divided eight ways, between the next of kin of the four dead men, and with separate trust-funds established for their four children. |
| However, Mr Thomas explained that there are still small details to be ironed out, as it is not necessarily as simple as dividing the total by eight. | However, Mr Thomas explained that there are still small details to be ironed out, as it is not necessarily as simple as dividing the total by eight. |
| "The four children under 18 will automatically be provided for - that's the simple part," he said. | "The four children under 18 will automatically be provided for - that's the simple part," he said. |
| "But as is the nature of the modern world, people have multiple partners through the course of their life, and so family relationships become very complicated. | "But as is the nature of the modern world, people have multiple partners through the course of their life, and so family relationships become very complicated. |
| "We've had to seek legal advice, and introduce our own rules to make sure that we treat everyone fairly and make sure the money goes where it's most needed and deserving." | "We've had to seek legal advice, and introduce our own rules to make sure that we treat everyone fairly and make sure the money goes where it's most needed and deserving." |
| Mr Thomas says £100,000, or just under 10% of the fund has already been spent on funeral, and other urgent expenses, which couldn't wait until the official calculations were complete. | Mr Thomas says £100,000, or just under 10% of the fund has already been spent on funeral, and other urgent expenses, which couldn't wait until the official calculations were complete. |
| 'Loved ones' | 'Loved ones' |
| "Obviously these things take time, but the real world doesn't stop to wait for them," he added. | "Obviously these things take time, but the real world doesn't stop to wait for them," he added. |
| "For example one of the men had a disabled daughter, and he was the only person strong enough to push her in a manual wheelchair. So we were able to help by funding an electric wheelchair, and a car which can accommodate it. | "For example one of the men had a disabled daughter, and he was the only person strong enough to push her in a manual wheelchair. So we were able to help by funding an electric wheelchair, and a car which can accommodate it. |
| "Not everyone will be 100% happy with all the decisions we've made, but I hope it will help to make the families' lives a little bit easier. | "Not everyone will be 100% happy with all the decisions we've made, but I hope it will help to make the families' lives a little bit easier. |
| "Not that any amount of money could ever make up for the loved ones they've lost." | "Not that any amount of money could ever make up for the loved ones they've lost." |
| Neath MP Peter Hain, who helped launch the fund, said: "There have been long-term decisions put in place which have enabled the future of the children to be secured, and particularly trusts that are available for their education and their support as they go through life without a father." |