A CARMARTHENSHIRE business is launching its very own charity fund at Parc y Scarlets on May 12 with an initial pledge of £10,000.

Nolan uPVC, who celebrated 25 years in 2014, has pledge to donate all funds raised during the charity’s first year to Welsh charity Tenovus Cancer Care as well as benefitting other worthy causes in the region.

Nolan uPVC was set up by carpenter Nolan Nicholas in 1989. During last year’s milestone anniversary Nolan decided he wanted to make a significant contribution to his community, and now the Nolan Charity Fund is coming to fruition.

The Fund will benefit an annual designated charity which for 2015 is Tenovus Cancer Care, a charity nominated by Nolan staff and causes nominated by smaller registered charities in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Nolan is looking forward to getting things underway in Llanelli on May 12.

He said: “This is something my team and I have been looking to do for some time, so we can’t wait for May 12. We have huge respect for the work of Tenovus Cancer Care in Wales, and so they are a very worthy recipient of the first benefits of the Fund, our staff will select another charity close to their hearts, and now we want the people of west Wales to put forward their ideas on how the money should be spent, and also to help us raise funds to keep refilling the pot.”

A board of trustees comprising Nolan Nicholas from Nolan uPVC, Rob Taylor from Ennis Caravans in Cross Hands and Aisha Wardell from DJM has been appointed to manage the fund and select the beneficiaries. The application process for funds this year will open on May 12 and close on November 30, 2015, giving the local community six months to apply for donations.

The event will attract Tenovus Cancer Care Patron Dafydd James, the former Scarlets, Wales and British and Irish Lions star, who was for some time the leading try scorer in the Heineken Cup, along with business figures from the region.

Entertainment will be provided by the Llanelli Sing with Us choir, one of the 16 Tenovus Cancer Care choirs across Wales and England. The Sing with Us choirs are fun, uplifting and friendly, and are open to anyone affected by cancer whether a patient, survivor, carer or someone who has been bereaved through cancer.

Clare Gallie, Director of Fundraising for Tenovus Cancer Care, is delighted at Nolan PVC’s pledge. “We’d like to thank Nolan and his team for naming us as their chosen charity for 2015. The money raised will make a big difference to our work supporting cancer patients and their loved ones in local communities across Wales.”

The launch will take place in the Phil Bennett Lounge at Parc y Scarlets from 8.30am on May 12, with refreshments available for guests. Nolan again: “Our friends at the Scarlets have been hugely supportive already, and so this is the ideal place to launch the Fund, in the heart of the west Wales community.”

Anyone looking to nominate a worthy cause in the region can contact Sarah Cleevely, Nolan Charity Fund, Unit 1 St Ivel, Llanstephan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3BP. Email charity@nolanupvc.co.uk