A BARRY is in the swim after a bank’s customers waded in to help keep its coffers afloat with a £3,000 donation.

The Barry Beavers disabled swimming club is celebrating the ability to pay its pool hire fees for a year after residents gave it some green tokens of appreciation – by voting it their favourite good cause in a Lloyds bank community fund vote.

The swimming club earned part of the £6,500 up for grabs with Vale People First awarded £2,000; Palmerston Play £1,000 and Oak Field primary school, in Giibonsdown, gaining £500.

The vote took place throughout September.

Barry Beavers vice chairwoman, secretary and gala coach, Pat Finch said: “We are delighted with this award from Lloyds as it will help cover our swimming pool fees for the next year. The award will allow us to concentrate raising more money for our gala buses that will ensure our members can continue to represent the Vale of Glamorgan throughout the year.”

Lloyds Barry bank manager, Anita Bond said: “We have had such a terrific response from the community in Barry, and all the staff in our Barry branch are very proud to be able to support such important groups in Barry and the wider Vale.”

Vale MP Alun Cairns, who presented the award to the Barry Beavers, said: “The Lloyds Community Fund is a great scheme, and it is wonderful news that four local groups can benefit. I am particularly pleased for Barry Beavers as they do so much good work in the community organised by Pat and her team.”