MENTAL health support will benefit from the backing of Valero this year as the refinery chooses its charity of 2017.

A site wide ballot saw the charity Mind Pembrokeshire chosen to receive a special focus from the Pembroke refinery’s community, volunteering and fundraising activities throughout this year.

Mind Pembrokeshire operates a range of services across the county for those with direct or indirect experiences of mental health issues, and aims to promote a positive attitude to mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Director of Mind Pembrokeshire, Tracey Price, said: “Mind Pembrokeshire is excited to be Valero’s 2017 ‘Charity of the Year’.

“Looking after our mental health is incredibly important, and with more and more people in need of Mind Pembrokeshire’s services, we are looking forward to working closely with the refinery and its workforce to help raise awareness of mental health affecting people here in Pembrokeshire.”

Stephen Thornton, Valero’s Public Affairs Manager, added: “Mind Pembrokeshire’s commitment to improving the quality of life for those affected by mental health issues in our local communities struck a real chord with Valero personnel when deciding who should be our latest ‘Charity of the Year’.

“We are delighted that Mind Pembrokeshire will be able to benefit from Pembroke Refinery’s longstanding community engagement programme, and hopefully together we can make a positive difference to people with mental health problems in Pembrokeshire and across West Wales.”