The Healing The Wounds charity has been forced to drop its plan to develop the historic Golden Grove mansion in the Tywi Valley.
But it has reassured supporters that it is continuing to work to help Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families in Wales.
The charity was launched in December of last year with an inspirational idea to turn the historic Tywi Valley mansion into a convalescent home and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) treatment facility.
“Sadly, we now have to admit defeat on the Golden Grove front, but all our fund-raisers and supporters can be assured we are still working towards our aim of finding a suitable location for a convalescent home and treatment facility,” said Healing the Wounds Executive Director Kevin Richards.
“The original idea to develop Golden Grove was ambitious, but we genuinely thought the site would have been ideal for the project.
“As it is, more than a year has gone by since the charity’s launch and the condition of the mansion has deteriorated still further – up to the point where it is now no longer viable for the project.
“This is very sad news for us and in recent weeks we have been unable to comment about the suitability of Golden Grove until we had discussed the matter with the owners of the mansion. Those talks have now taken place and the owners are now aware that the mansion no longer forms part of our project.
“Obviously, we appreciate that a great number of our fundraisers come from the Tywi Valley and West Wales area and they will share our disappointment that Golden Grove is beyond our reach.
“Having said that, they can be reassured that as a charity we are working tirelessly to find another suitable location for a convalescent home and treatment facility. We know that we don’t have sole ownership of the ideas on this search and we would appreciate any suggestions about suitable buildings from charity supporters.”
Mr Richards said it was crucial for people to continue to support the charity.
“Some people may try to brand the project as a dead duck. But nothing is further from the truth. We have raised more than £120,000 over the last 12 months and we are already working to make sure that money is spent on people who need treatment for PTSD.
“In fact, we have been able to send people on treatment courses for PTSD organised by the ‘talking 2 minds’ charity.
“Our aim remains what it was at the outset – to make sure that people who deserve it receive the best possible care. And, of course, we want those people to receive that care in Wales.
“With that in mind, we also have people attending training courses in PTSD treatment. The efforts here will enable us to have key personnel here in Wales who can provide the proper treatment for people with PTSD.
“Those are the building blocks for the future work of the charity. Investing in the people who need treatment and who need to be trained to provide treatment is just a part of what we are about.
“Of course, the more physical building blocks come when we secure a building for use as a convalescent home and treatment facility.”
Mr Richards said he hoped that the charity’s supporters understood the need to move away from the Golden Grove idea.
“After such a harsh winter, we have to be realistic. The sort of money needed to renovate Golden Grove would be astronomical and we have to make the most sensible use of the money we have been gifted as a charity.
“We also appreciate that ‘jungle drums’ have been beating in West Wales about the future of Golden Grove. Rumours and wild speculation have come to our attention, but, unfortunately, until we had a meeting with the owners today, we were unable to say anything publicly about pulling out of Golden Grove.”
Mr Richards said the success of the charity so far would not have been possible without a huge amount of public support.
“Our aim is always to provide services within Wales to help members of the armed services and those connected to the services.
“This has struck a powerful emotional chord with the people of Wales, who appreciate the fact that the money they raise will be spent in Wales and will benefit our Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families.
“This is, of course, very different to the approach of other high profile armed services charities who collect money within Wales, but give little or no assurance that the money will be spent within Wales.”
“Our mission remains what it was at the outset – to raise funds for a suitable facility within Wales for the treatment of Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans and their families, who are suffering from stress-related illnesses such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).”
Mr Richards said the charity’s fundraising efforts had expanded to all four corners of Wales and beyond, including many overseas donations during the last 12 months.
“It is very humbling to see the contributions made by people in Wales.
“We have had everything from charity concerts, sponsored parachute jumps, cycle rides, sponsored horse rides, swims and coffee mornings – you name it and people have done it.
“The generosity of people has been amazing. Some have simply sent in donations, others have devoted family parties such as Diamond Wedding Anniversaries to Healing the Wounds charity and have raised money that way.
“The contributions made by the people of the Tywi Valley and West Wales have been immense and we hope that they continue to support us as we believe the work we do is vitally important, no matter where we find a suitable site to set up home.”
The charity’s website is at http://www.healingthewounds.co.uk/
