Penarth's very own BAFTA Cymru-nominated actress Annes Elwy has led the community in donating food to asylum seekers in Pembrokeshire.

She did so as part of a Black Lives Matter Cardiff campaign, which sought to improve the "inhumane" food quality and quantity provided at the Penally Asylum Camp housing over 200 Syrian and Palestinian refugees.

The Home Office began housing the 17 - 26-year-old men in Penally (an Army Training Camp) in September. The move generated much controversy, with both anti-immigration and human rights campaigners protesting the camp.

After the catering standards provided at the camp were revealed, Black Lives Matter Cardiff appealed for edible donations.

"Black Lives Matter Cardiff posted on their Facebook saying the refugees (200 of them) have to queue for three hours to get their food. They're super hungry, and the food that awaits them at the end of the queue is frequently bad," Annes tells Nub News.

"I just wanted to show them that Wales can be welcoming and kind."

Annes was born in Penarth and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She performed in various London plays before landing some minor TV roles.

In 2017, she was cast in her breakthrough role as Beth in the BBC/PBS television production of Little Women, for which she received her BAFTA Cymru nomination.

Also a foodie, Annes in 2018 founded 'Y Bwrdd' ('The Table'), a supper club and catering company. She says the endeavour offered financial stability during audition lulls and enabled her to pursue her secondary passion.

2020 saw her starring in two feature films - The Toll and Gwledd - before the pandemic caused role availability to dry up.

Due to lack of work, Annes' year has been dominated by catering. 'Y Bwrdd' has become a thriving business.

"I also like cooking middle eastern foods and the refugees are from Iran and Iraq so I wanted to provide foods they'd be missing from home, as well as tons of cakes and biscuits, fruit and savoury snacks," she says, before explaining why she was so moved by the cause of the asylum seekers.

"I hated hearing about people travelling from England etc to protest them being there.

"It's no one's business. They're here for help and must have had terrible times, and then for them to see people wanting to get rid of them for no reason is horrible.

"They're staying in barracks that military no longer deem use able for themselves - staying in bad conditions with no way of making toast or tea when hungry and cold."

Annes appealed to Penarth residents to also contribute what they could.

"As there are over 200 of them, I asked if anyone else could donate then I'd pass those on as well. People were very kind, and we delivered enough food for everyone."

Among the donors were two members of Capel Bethel and Foxy's Cafe and Deli owner Sian Fox.

"I know Annes really well. Her parents have shopped her for years," Sian says. "She asked me to help out so I gave a few boxes of food. Because they have to queue so long for food, it wasn't hot food they needed. So we donated lots of snacks.

"I think it's really important and such a lovely story."

On accusations of inhumane camp conditions, the Home Office issued the following statement:

"We provide asylum seekers in Penally with safe, covid-compliant and weather-proof accommodation along with free nutritious meals, all paid for by the taxpayer.

"Penally Training Camp was previously used to accommodate military personnel and has since had a full renovation of its heating system," they said, adding: "We have high standards and carry out regular inspections.

"People should flag issues with a particular meal to kitchen staff initially but there is also a 24/7 helpline and complaints process."

One refugee was hospitalised in December after going on hunger strike. The Penally Camp is due to house the asylum seekers until September.