AN OUTREACH charity from Torfaen will use half of the money won through a surprise radio competition nomination to buy its most in-demand item for its service users.

Trac2, based in Trevethin, was put forward for the Heart FM contest by a friend of Sue Malson, the charity’s owner.

Last month, it was announced that the charity had won – much to the surprise of Ms Malson and Margaret Crowley, her friend who nominated Trac2.

“Margaret turned up on the morning of the announcement and said we were shortlisted,” said Ms Malson.

“We were just over the moon as she had kept it quiet from us.

“We turned in to listen to the station and we couldn’t quite believe it that we had won the money.”

Mrs Crowley, who works as an estate officer for Bron Afon Community Housing added: “I heard about the Heart FM competition and just thought that I’d try it and nominate the charity for the £2,000 prize.

“I called them up to put Trac2 forward and then I forgot all about it.

“A few weeks later, they called me back much to my surprise.”

The charity owner said that Trac2 would split the money - £1,000 on buying beds and the other on a Christmas meal and party.

"We plan to split the money in half. £1,000 will go on buying everything we need for the meal and a few special gifts for everyone who turns up on the day," said Ms Malson.

"The other £1,000 will allow Trac2 to buy in beds so we are able then to build our stock back up so we can donate beds where we assist those via referrals who are moving into emergency temporary accommodation or permanent places.

"We are experiencing a lot of issues at the moment, so we can help lessen the burden on people by providing them with a few essential items.

"They won’t have to go into debt to allow them to make a home."

It will be the fifth year where Ms Malson and a number of other volunteers will offer a Christmas Day lunch for people in the community.

"Liz Herbert, the church warden at St Cadocs and Penygarn, had the idea back then for initially the elderly to have somewhere to go on Christmas Day if they were on their own.

"Now, over the years, it has grown. Last year we had 89 people and it was just the elderly or the vulnerable, we had youngsters with us too, perhaps those who could not afford a special lunch."

Mrs Crowley added: "Sue is like an angel in a van – a very little one at that. When you see her in the van, she is driving to help the community.

"The charity serves everyone in Torfaen – not this one or that one. They try to help everybody.

"What is the more important thing about this charity is that everybody benefits.

"I am very pleased that the money will go to such a worthy cause.

"The money will help a lot of people, from those who are period of difficulty in their lives to others who may be lonely with a Christmas party.

"Young and old will benefit from this competition win."