AN ACTRESS made a special trip to Gwent to help a children’s charity raise thousands of pounds.

Stella and Gavin and Stacey actress and writer Ruth Jones came to the Conservative Club in Usk on November 4 to compare a show to raise money for the Hope and Homes For Children charity.

The charity is working to eradicate the institutional care of children through partnerships with national governments, civil society organisations and international agencies.

There is a support group in Usk, which is the only one which is based in Wales.

Committee members Carol Orchard and Jean Scarborough met Ms Jones at one of the charity’s events in London and during a conversation she offered to come to Usk to support their work.

The committee, which consists of five members, organised the evening Ruth Jones introduces which featured performances by covers band Untapped Sound, the Byrdsong choir, comedienne Lorna Pearson, the Davis Brothers and the popular Buskuleles.

Ms Orchard said: “It was fantastic evening. Thrilled to bits that is was such a success. Ruth Jones was smashing as compare and she mixed with everyone and posed for selfies. People are still talking about it.”

Ms Scarborough added: “The evening was more than we could hope for. It sold out very quickly, Ruth Jones is a big draw. “

O the night 140 people attended the event and the group were able to raise £3,800. This amount will be match-funded by the government.

For more information visit hopeandhomes.org.