A BRACING nine-mile walk has brought to an end a year of fundraising by the Port of Milford Haven for local poverty relief charity Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH).

Port staff raised more than £600 by walking from their offices in Pembroke Port to their headquarters in Hakin, Milford Haven, carrying buckets to collect a few extra pennies along the way from passers-by.

Anna Malloy, PR and Communications Officer for the Port, said: “We are very thankful to those who were able to sponsor us. The whole team were overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone.”

The walk heralds the end of 12 months of fundraising for PATCH, during which time the Port has helped the charity move to bigger premises, provided professional training to its volunteers, and lent a helping hand during its annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

In November, it also helped PATCH co-ordinator Tracy Olin realise a dream by leasing the charity a piece of land near its Liddeston Ridge Solar Park, which will enable volunteers to launch a unique gardening project that provides produce for use in the food bank.

“We are so grateful for all the Port has done for us,” said Tracy.

“Not just in the incredible time we have been their charity of the year but from when PATCH was just a dream.

"The money raised from the walk was fantastic, especially as Christmas is our busiest time of year.

"We had the Annual Christmas Toy appeal where we gave to 600 children all over Pembrokeshire."

"We would like to give a giant thank you to all who walked and all who sponsored as well," she added.

PATCH was voted by staff at the Port to be their charity of the year for 2014. A new charity for 2015 will be announced soon.