News

Pembrokeshire child joins Dragons Den team in conquering disability misconceptions

Published

1 year ago

March 10, 2025

Wilson Mills-McBeth is one enchanting child.

His face has already earned him a contract with the inclusive modelling agency Zebedee UK, while his mission in life is to throw himself wholeheartedly into absolutely everything that comes his way. And if this means having to overcome a particularly difficult challenge, the invincible eight-year-old will storm onwards with a passion and unquenchable zest for life that defines his character so distinctly.

But what makes Wilson’s achievements even more laudable is the fact that he has Down Syndrome.

This month Wilson, who lives in Saundersfoot, has been selected by Dragon Den victors ‘Stand Out Socks’ to take part in their Empowerment project. This gives people in the community who have any form of disability the opportunity to show society that despite those disabilities, their obstacles can be overcome and their goals can be achieved.

“Wilson is one extremely determined little boy who tries so hard at everything he does, and he has a determination to do things just as well as his siblings,” his mother, Sara, told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“And this is because Down Syndrome isn’t an illness. People don’t suffer from it, they just have it. And as a family, we want to change people’s perceptions and lose the stigma about having a disability. It’s ok to be different, and Wilson is far more capable than many people realise.”

Four years ago Wilson, with the help of his family, began sharing images and accounts of his everyday life on social media via his Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he’s known as ‘Wilson Pretty Fly For a Small Guy’.

“The idea was to include images and stories of all his achievements, but also his not so great days, so that people could get an insight into what life is like for a little boy with Down Syndrome.

“Children with Down Syndrome aren’t always happy, as society often thinks they are. They have the same feelings and emotions as everyone else and Wilson can be your typical stroppy and stubborn eight-year-old.

“There are lots of things that Wilson can do, but there are also very many things that he struggles with. But we know that with his determination and a little bit of help along the way, he’ll get there.

“But obviously he’s being helped by his siblings who are very close to him in age but also in helping him come on board and throw himself into whatever it is that they’re doing. If his older brothers can do it, then what’s stopping Wilson from doing it too?”

It was this all-embracing ethos that was presented to the Dragon Den judges by Christian and Ross Laing who were eager to show society that people with disabilities are just as capable of holding down careers and entrepreneurial projects as anyone else.

“Ross has Down Syndrome yet despite the fact that he was extremely enthusiastic and more than capable of holding down full time employment, no one was prepared to give him a chance,” explains Sara.

So the brothers formed ‘Stand out Socks’ and sold their idea to Dragons Den, winning the backing of entrepreneur hosts Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett. Their name comes from the fact that people with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, while chromosomes resemble small socks

“Only 5% of people with disabilities are in paid employment, and this again is something that we’re trying so very hard to change,” said Sara.

“As we’re seeing with Wilson, his enthusiasm for everything that comes his way is exceptionally strong and he’s more than capable of carrying out those tasks and completing them.”

Earlier this month Wilson, who is a pupil at Ysgol Hafan y Mor in Tenby was chosen by ‘Stand out Socks’ to take part in their Empowerment Project where his task is to sell 100 pairs of socks in the run up to World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. The socks are priced £4 for children and £7.50 for adults and are available in a selection of bright designs. He is the sole person in Pembrokeshire selected to take part.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Wilson to kickstart his mini entrepreneurial journey and, as we would expect, he’s thrown himself into it with tremendous energy. But this is very much a team effort, and Wilson’s brothers are putting as much effort into it as he is himself. They’ve all been creating ideas on how to market the socks, they’ve designed some flyers and posters and he’s even made a little stall out of boxes. So my kitchen is currently in chaos.

“But the whole aim is to help people and children like Wilson get their foot in the door of making their entrepreneurial ideas work and getting the recognition that they so greatly deserve.

“The brothers are now starting to operate their own fully fledged little business, and it means so much to us, as a family, that they’re helping to get the message out into the community.”

All proceeds from Wilson’s sock sale will go to The Sibling Group, Pembrokeshire and any excess money will go towards a deposit on a tricycle for Wilson.

“This is a fantastic charity that provides support to children aged between 7 and 18 who have a sibling who’s been diagnosed with a disability, a chronic illness or additional needs,” explained Sara.

“They get taken on trips every month, and once a year they go on a residential overnight stay. A lot of these siblings are carers themselves, so what The Sibling Group is providing to them is invaluable.”

Meanwhile Wilson’s socks can be purchased via his Facebook and Instagram accounts. His older siblings have also been given permission to sell them at a stall at their school at Caer Elen in the run up to World Down Syndrome Day.

“The sole purpose is to change the way that disabilities are being regarded so that we can promote inclusion and start losing those outdated, old fashioned stigmas,” concluded Sara.

“Wilson is just a little boy trying to make a big difference in society.”

Charity

Bassetts Motor Group donates electric van to support lifesaving charity

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BASSETTS Motor Group has donated an electric van to support the vital work of Wales Air Ambulance, providing a major boost to the charity’s day-to-day fundraising operations.

The South West Wales-based company has gifted a Citroën e-Berlingo for use until the end of the year — marking the first time the business has made a significant gift in kind to the charity.

Staff from Bassetts recently visited the charity’s headquarters in Dafen to hand over the vehicle, where they met with a medic and were given an insight into the critical care delivered by the service, including a tour of a rapid response car.

Ashley White, of Bassetts Motor Group, said: “Being a South West Wales-based business, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that Wales Air Ambulance does.

“We knew the charity relies heavily on fundraising and donations, so when we were looking for a cause to support, it felt like a natural choice.”

The van has been branded with the charity’s logo and information on how the public can support its lifesaving lottery.

Explaining the choice of vehicle, Ashley added: “We’re strong advocates of electric vehicles. Getting people behind the wheel often changes perceptions and helps overcome misconceptions about going electric.

“Citroën offered us a deal that made it possible for us to provide the van in this way, and we felt it would be perfectly suited to the charity’s fundraising needs.”

The Wales Air Ambulance delivers consultant-led emergency care across the country, bringing hospital-level treatment directly to patients and, where necessary, transferring them swiftly to the most appropriate specialist centres. This approach can save critical time and significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes.

The service operates through a unique partnership between the charity and the NHS, with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service providing highly skilled consultants and critical care practitioners who work onboard its aircraft and rapid response vehicles.

As a pan-Wales service, its crews cover the entire country, delivering emergency care wherever it is needed.

Nina Rice, Head of Fundraising High Value Partnerships at Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Bassetts Motor Group for this generous gift in kind.

“The use of the electric vehicle will make a real difference to our fundraising efforts, helping us reach more communities and raise vital funds.

“As a local company, Bassetts understands just how important our service is to people across Wales. This support will directly help us continue our lifesaving work.”

The charity must raise £13 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

For more information, visit the Bassetts Motor Group website.

Community

Residents return home after major Carmarthenshire fire as probe continues

Published

5 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS forced to evacuate their homes following a major fire in Kidwelly have now been allowed to return, as emergency services confirm the scene has been stood down.

The blaze broke out at a property on Lady Street in the early hours of Tuesday (March 24), with emergency services called at around 4:20am. Several neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the incident and assessed the safety of surrounding buildings.

In the latest update, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers have now left the scene and displaced residents were able to return to their properties on Thursday evening (March 26), following work to make the affected building safe.

The incident caused significant disruption in the town, with Lady Street remaining closed while further work is carried out to ensure the safety of the highway and surrounding structures.

Emergency services, including Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, were on the scene for several hours during the initial response. Crews were understood to have dealt with a serious property fire, prompting a large-scale emergency operation in the centre of the town.

While the immediate danger has now passed, authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the area between 11:00pm on Monday (March 23) and 4:00am on Tuesday (March 24).

Anyone with information is urged to contact police quoting reference 027 of 24/3, either via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Authorities thanked residents and the wider community for their patience during the incident, which saw homes evacuated and roads closed while emergency services carried out their work.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

Community

West Wales fire crews sharpen skills in major training exercise

Published

5 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIREFIGHTERS from across west Wales took part in a large-scale training exercise designed to sharpen operational skills and strengthen teamwork.

Crews from the Western Division of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the development day at Earlswood Training Centre on Sunday (March 22).

Personnel travelled from stations including Carmarthen, Tumble, Newcastle Emlyn, Milford Haven, Narberth and Pontyates to take part in the exercise.

Realistic scenarios

Firefighters were put through a series of realistic scenarios designed to reflect incidents they may face on duty.

These included house fires with people reported inside, kitchen fires, and multi-vehicle road traffic collisions. Crews also carried out specialist line rescue exercises as part of the day.

Support staff played the roles of casualties and members of the public, adding to the realism and allowing firefighters to test their responses in lifelike conditions.