Gleision mining tragedy: £1m raised for families' fund
Gleision mine tragedy: £1m to be split between families
(about 2 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.
More than £1m raised through a public appeal will be shared between the families of the four men killed in the Gleision mining disaster in south Wales almost a year ago.
Trustee Wayne Thomas praised not only the generosity of donors but also those who provided time and expertise.
David Powell, 50, Charles Breslin, 62, Philip Hill, 44, and Garry Jenkins, 39, lost their lives in the Swansea Valley mine on 15 September 2011.
He says over 99.95% of the money raised will go to the families of the four Swansea Valley miners killed.
Four trust funds have been set up for the four children who are under 18.
It is hoped that all the relatives will receive their share before the 15 September anniversary of the disaster.
The rest will go to those closest to the men.
Trustees who will officially wind up the fund on Monday say that out of £1.08m raised just £529 was spent on administration.
Widows Mavis Breslyn and Lynette Powell will receive money.
They will meet Neath MP Peter Hain in order to make the final arrangements.
Mr Jenkins and Mr Hill were divorced, so Mr Jenkins's partner, who he was living with, and Mr Hill's 21-year-old daughter, who was dependent on her father, will also receive money.
The men's former wives will not receive money, but if they have children under 18, they will be trustees.
'Extremely difficult'
Wayne Thomas, chairman of Swansea Valley miners' appeal fund, said the £1.091m raised was phenomenal, and it was challenging to divide the money up.
He added: "It was extremely difficult because of the varying needs of the families, the varying relationships of the families.
"We've looked at the legal implications, the moral implications, we've had advice from social workers and solicitors etc etc.
"We've learnt from other fatalities and serious accidents where the parent is no longer with us or indeed no longer working.
"So we have secured a trust fund for each of the four children under the age of 18 to make sure whatever happens in the family circumstances around them, they will be looked after until they become 21 years of age.
"There will be three trustees on each of the four trust funds and in each of those three trustees, one will be the parent of the child."
Trustees who will officially wind up the fund on Monday say that of £1.091m raised, just £529 was spent on administration.
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.
About £100,000 has already been spent on funeral and other urgent expenses, which could not wait until the official calculations were complete.
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.
It is hoped that all the relatives will receive their share before the 15 September anniversary.
Their bodies were recovered from the mine 24 hours later 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.
Neath MP Peter Hain, who helped launch the fund, said: "When we first set it up, the thought it could raise £1,091,000 would have just never occurred to anybody.
"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.
"The response from the community has been moving. It shows that there's still a spirit of care and support out there in what many people denounce as a me first society.
"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."
"This whole experience shows the decency that still is there."
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.
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.
"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."
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'
"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.
"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."
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."
