A night of fun, fancy frocks and fundraising by Valero Pembroke Refinery has seen a major amount being raised for SNAP Pembrokeshire, the refinery’s 2015 charity of the year.

The third annual Valero Charity Ball saw 400 guests from Valero, contract companies and suppliers enjoy a glamorous gala evening set in the grounds of Cresselly House. In addition to ticket sales, a raffle and silent auction on the evening netted a record £15,000 total for the charity, which provides pre-school playgroup assessments for children in Pembrokeshire with additional learning needs.

Following the success of the evening, a representative of SNAP was invited by members of the Valero Volunteer Council, who organised the ball, to receive a cheque for the life-changing amount.

Ruth Ferguson, head of the Valero Charity Ball organising committee, said: “Over the last two years we have raised some amazing funds for charity, but this year we have broken all records to bring in this incredible amount for this wonderful charity. It was a lot of hard work, but to be able to put on an event like this where all our employees, contractors and suppliers can have such an enjoyable time and help SNAP Pembrokeshire makes it all worth it.”

Cindy Jenkins, of SNAP Pembrokeshire, said: “As a small local charity supporting children with additional needs and their families we are grateful for any donations, so to be given this amount of £15,000 is absolutely astounding. On behalf of all of us at SNAP Pembrokeshire - the staff, parents and especially the children who this will directly benefit - I would like to say a massive thank you to Valero and all those individuals who made this possible.”