Donations to miners fund top £50,000

(PA)

The Government is to give a major boost to a fund launched in memory of the four men killed in a tragic mining accident last week.

The Miners Appeal Fund was launched at the weekend to support the bereaved families and a swell of public support has seen it reach more than £50,000. The Government announced yesterday it will add 25 per cent to the total amount raised. Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said yesterday that the Government would pay the equivalent of Gift Aid on all donations.

"No one could fail to have been touched by this tragedy and the response to this appeal is heartfelt," she said. "The families have lost working men and the survivors have lost their livelihoods. So I am pleased to be able to announce the UK Government will be paying the Gift Aid equivalent of 25 per cent on top of all donations."

In the meantime, two investigations are under way following last week's disaster. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating the cause of the flooding at the drift mine.