FESTIVAL organisers revealed at the weekend that volunteers in Rhonnda Cynon Taf raised £332,000 towards the National Eisteddfod of Wales coming to Pontypridd.

Eisteddfod chair Helen Prosser announced that local fundraisers, including Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, have raised over £450,000 for the Welsh-language cultural event.

“Volunteers from every corner of Rhondda, Cynon and Taf have organised activities in the name of the eisteddfod, and we’re particularly grateful to friends in other parts of Wales, including Caernarfon and Cardiff, for organising events to help us reach our goal,” Ms Prosser said.

The Welsh government has provided £350,000 to the eisteddfod to enable people from lower-income households to attend Europe’s largest cultural festival.

Eisteddfod chief executive Betsan Moses said: “The Welsh language and the eisteddfod belong to everyone, and this support from the Welsh government ensures that we can give as many local residents as possible a taste of the eisteddfod.“