Newport-based Monmouthshire Building Society has named Latch as its Charity of the Year, with the aim to raise as much money as possible for the life-saving Welsh children’s cancer charity.

Latch supports children and their families who are being treated by the oncology unit at the Children’s Hospital of Wales, whose catchment area stretches from Chepstow to Aberwystwyth.

Around 70 new cancer and leukaemia cases are diagnosed every year, and their wide ranging support include on-site family accommodation, a social work service, family respite, financial and emotional support and much much more.

During the 12-month partnership, the society, which has it's head quarters in John Frost Square, will raise funds to support Latch's essential support services and the paediatric oncology unit based in the Children’s Hospital of Wales. Latch needs to raise on average £600,000 a year to cover its day to day running costs.

All of the society’s 144 staff based in South Wales and the South West of England are determined to support the various fundraising campaigns taking place, as well as developing additional events and challenges which have been scheduled across the next 12 months.

Chief executive Andrew Lewis said: “Latch is an incredible charity that does so much, in so many ways, for children who have been affected by cancer and without support from the public they simply couldn’t exist. As a regional building society, it’s important to actively support our local communities, and fundraising for children and their families at such a difficult time is an honour for us.

“LATCH was chosen as our charity of the year by our own staff members who were inspired by the incredible, holistic services available. Small gestures such as providing funds for families’ heating, travel or parking mean just as much as the funds they provide for specialist medical equipment and we can’t wait to get to work raising as much money as possible.”