AN ABERSYCHAN carol service raised more than £500 for Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Mind.

Carols Under the Arch raised the money for the Daniel Jones Memorial Fund, which works with Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Mind to provide support and counselling services for those who have been affected by suicide.

Event organisers Pastor John Funnell and Cllr Giles Davies presented a cheque to Kirsty Jones, Daniel's sister, at the Training in Mind centre in Blaenavon.

Ms Jones, speaking on behalf of her mother Wendy Jones and brother Darren Jones, said: "I would like to thank Pastor John and Giles for what they did with Carols Under the Arch.

"It was a fantastic turnout.

"I was really humbled when they told me that they were raising money for Daniel's fund.

"Unfortunately Daniel hadn't sought help, but now he is able to help others.

"I think he would love that.

"It's great that we are able to do that."

The money raised by the event could pay for 123 men to have counselling sessions.

Claire Reid, from Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent Mind's Training in Mind centre, said: "We use the funds to support those affected by suicide.

"It makes such a difference to have that money. You can't underestimate how important that is."

Pastor Funnell said: “We often forget how blessed we are to live in such a loving community, Carols Under the Arch could not work anywhere else.

“We are delighted to support the Daniel Jones Memorial Fund who share the church's passion for wellbeing, we continue to pray for the fantastic work they are doing.”

Cllr Davies said: "Who would have thought that a little meeting from around Pastor John's kitchen table would have resulted in having more than a thousand people at the event and raising this much money for Mind?"

He also thanked all of the partners and volunteers for their help with the event.