A Cwmbran-based, US-owned valve manufacturer has handed over a cheque for $9,900 to St David’s Hospice Care.

Crane Co, which owns Cwmbran’s Saunders Valve Company, donated the equivalent of £7,022 to the charity from its Crane Fund for Widows and Children.

Emma Saysell, chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “Supporters usually give us money in the form of pounds sterling but we’re equally delighted to receive donations in dollars or any currency for that matter, as it all goes to helping us to continue to provide our support throughout our community, free to those in need.

“We really can’t thank Crane enough for this latest marvellous support and for other donations in previous years which run to many thousands of US dollars for St David’s Hospice Care and St Anne’s Hospice.”

Andrew Powell, vice president and general manager of Saunders, said that The Crane Fund for Widows and Children makes contributions to charitable organisations which provide direct assistance to the communities where Crane Co operates.

Mr Powell said: “The Crane Fund is an opportunity to help support local charities in the area in which our associates both work and live. We know that there are a number of employees and their families that have received assistance from both St Anne’s and St David’s Hospice Care over the years so we decided to try and support the charity in a much more formal way.

Since 2007 the Crane Fund has donated some $40,000 (£28,395) to St Anne’s Hospice and now an additional $9,900 to St David’s Hospice Care.

The Cwmbran-based business employs 180 people where they manufacture the full range of Saunders diaphragm valves which are sold into a wide range of industries.

PK Saunders invented the original diaphragm valve in 1928 and founded Saunders Valve Co five years later. The company was acquired by Crane Co in 2001 after formerly being part of Alfa Laval.

Crane Co is a diversified manufacturer of highly-engineered industrial products with a substantial presence in a number of focused niche markets.