Two staff members from a Milford Haven building society branch have dived 10,000 feet through the skies over Swansea to raise over £3,000 for local children’s bereavement charity Sandy Bear.

Anna Strudwick and Holly Goodridge work as customer representatives at the Milford Haven branch of Nationwide in Charles Street, which is the Pembrokeshire town’s only remaining banking branch following closures in the town.

Anna said: “Jumping out of a plane is a bit scary to say the least! But it’s for such an important cause, and I’m really glad that everyone else at the Milford Haven branch has supported our efforts. Branches are for more than just money matters – we’re really part of the community here, and it’s heartening to know that the money we’ve raised is going to help some of the most vulnerable young people in society.”

Ahead of the skydive, the pair ran a raffle in the branch to help raise money, featuring prizes donated by the community and local businesses. These included passes to Folly Farm, food and drink vouchers, and a free night’s stay in an Airbnb at a local beauty spot. The two surpassed their initial target of £800 by over £2,400, ultimately raising £3,272 for charity.

Nationwide matches funding up to £100 for each staff member raising money for charity. Britain’s biggest building society is committed to helping its staff engage with the local community – including by offering two days’ paid volunteering time a year for every staff member, as well as a “colleague grants” programme which can offer as much as £10,000 to charities that staff are involved with.

Based in Milford Haven, Sandy Bear is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to improving and strengthening the emotional health and well-being of children, young people and their families, who have experienced the death of a loved one. The charity aims to reduce emotional difficulties in childhood and the prevalence of mental illness in later life that can result in a decreased quality of life, poorer educational attainment, social and health problems and increased vulnerability.

Lee Barnett, CEO of Sandy Bear said: “We receive minimal statutory support, so every penny raised means we can have a positive impact on the lives of those we work with through the most difficult of circumstances wherever they reside throughout Wales.

“Congratulations to team Nationwide on their skydive, an amazing challenge which enables us to support more young people.”