A Gorseinon couple turned their Diamond Day into a charity fund-raiser for the Healing The WoundsGolden Grove Mansion Appeal.

The appeal aims to establish a Welsh convalescent centre for the treatment of ArmedForces Personnel, Veterans and their families who are suffering from stress-relatedillnesses such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).

When David and Irene Williams, of Grove Street, Gorseinon, knew their Diamondwedding anniversary was approaching, they decided they did not want any gifts.

Instead, they asked friends and family to contribute to Healing the Wounds.

Mr Williams served as a soldier with the 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers.

His tours included Egypt, Palestine and Cyprus, during and after the Second World War.

The couple said they fully supported the work of the Healing The Wounds charity and wanted to help in any way possible.

The happy couple were married at St Davids Church in Penllergaer on 23rd September 1950.

Their celebration night included a dance and a buffet at The Brighton Road Club.

The event was organised by close friends Ann and David Buck, who also run dancing classes.

The catering was by The Brighton Road Club.

The evening raised 920 and there was a cheque presentation to Healing The Wounds representatives - Executive Director KevinRichards and Director Carol Richards.

Mr Richards said: It was a very generous act for David and Irene to use their memorable event as a charity fund-raiser. It justshows how passionately people care about making sure our military personnel aretreated properly in Wales.

Pictured, left to right - Ann Buck, Kevin Richards, Irene Williams, David Williams, Carol Richards and David Buck.

Golden Grove Appeal (Healing the Wounds) has been launched for the purpose of raising the funds needed to enable the purchase ofa suitable facility within Wales for the treatment of our Armed ForcesPersonnel, Veterans and their families, who are suffering from stress relatedillnesses such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and to provide aconvalescent home to allow them to heal and recover from the traumas ofconflict.
Golden Grove Mansion has become available for purchase with 100 acres ofCountry Park, which would provide a peaceful and beautiful environment thatwould be the perfect place for recovery.
However, if the sale of the property does not materialise, Healing the Woundscharity will continue to raise the funds needed for the purpose of searchingfor an alternative suitable property to facilitate treatments and convalescencefor our Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families.
This is and shall always remain the prime objective of the charity

Golden Grove Mansion was actually used as a hospital for American troops during the Second World War. It was first built in 1560 asthe seat of the Vaughan family, descendants of the Princes of Powys. Twohundred years ago it passed to Lord Cawdor and the present mansion was built in1834. In later years it housed an agricultural college, but is now empty. Thereare more than 150 rooms and the basic structure is sound. It is a grade II*listed building within a 100 acre conservation area and the grounds include awooded Country Park, a visitor centre and cafe.

The appeal is more than halfway towards its initial target of raising 200,000.

Donations can be made

By post
Tomake your donation by post, please send a cheque payable to Golden GroveAppeal, together with your name address and post code to enable us to claimgift aid, to Golden Grove Appeal, 22 Abbey Road, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, CF336HF.
Give in person at Barclays Bank
Call into any branch of Barclays and pay your donation into thisaccount:
Golden Grove Mansion Appeal
Sort code: 20-84-41
Account number: 90516929