Charity

Grandmother honoured after near-death fall on Wales Coast Path

Published

3 months ago

November 27, 2025

Charity walker honoured after revealing she was nearly killed when she plunged into a water-filled ditch and fought through underwater barbed wire

A WALES-BORN grandmother who walked 730 miles of the Wales Coast Path says she “almost died” after becoming trapped in a Carmarthenshire ditch during her four-month charity trek.

Janet Baldock, sixty-eight, completed the challenge between April and August in aid of the national Support Dogs charity, finishing her final mile on her birthday. She missed out Anglesey but covered every other stretch of the coast, including the full Pembrokeshire section.

Her efforts were recognised this week at Support Dogs’ annual Graduation and Awards ceremony in Sheffield, where she was named the charity’s Fundraiser of the Year.

Janet, who was born in Wales and now lives in Shalbourne, Wiltshire, said she had not expected the award. “It was a complete and utter surprise to be awarded,” she said.

Near-death fall in Carmarthenshire

Janet described how the most dangerous moment of her walk happened shortly after leaving Pembrokeshire, when the route through Carmarthenshire became boggy and treacherous.

“I nearly died on the walk,” she said. “I was fine around Pembrokeshire but when I got to Carmarthenshire, it was all bogs, estuaries and marsh.

“I was trying to get off the marsh when one particular ditch was a little too big for my stride. I saw a little bit of wood in the water I thought I could stand on. I stood on the wood and I went ‘woosh’ down up to my neck in filthy stinking water and nearly drowned because I couldn’t get out.”

Janet said she could not feel the bottom of the ditch and struggled to escape because underwater barbed wire was pulling her down.

Stranded for around an hour, she debated calling a rescue helicopter before finally finding the strength to haul herself out, suffering cuts as she fought through the submerged wire. She then limped two miles to a nearby farmhouse to contact her husband.

But quitting was never an option. “I thought ‘I’m going to get to the end, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees’. It wasn’t my time yet.”

Inspired by assistance dogs

Janet raised £1,760 for Support Dogs, which provides life-changing assistance dogs for people with autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities. She said she was inspired after seeing a feature about autism assistance dogs on ITV’s This Morning.

Accepting her award, she told the audience: “What’s been amazing to me today is hearing everybody’s stories about how their lives have been transformed by having these amazing dogs in their lives. That’s what touched my heart… I just knew this was the charity I was going to support.

“I’m really glad I’m here today. Well done everybody and well done to all the dogs. I tip my hat to all the volunteers and all the people who have trained these dogs, because you do an amazing job.”

Support Dogs relies entirely on voluntary donations. More information can be found at supportdogs.org.uk or by calling 0114 261 7800.

Charity

Long service awards for Tenby surf lifesavers

Published

12 hours ago

February 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Three volunteers recognised for years of dedication to keeping beachgoers safe

THREE long-serving members of Tenby Surf Life Saving Club have been recognised for their commitment and dedication, receiving Long Service Awards at the charity’s recent presentation evening.

Jules Rilston, Angelo Fecci and Ian Badham were each honoured for their sustained contributions to surf lifesaving in Tenby over many years of voluntary service.

Club chairman Tai Jackson thanked the trio for their commitment to the club and the wider lifesaving movement on behalf of the committee and members.

Tenby Surf Life Saving Club is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit registered charity and one of 31 volunteer lifeguard clubs across Wales. During 2025, its lifesavers delivered 188 hours of volunteer patrols and assisted 113 people along the coastline.

The club also runs a youth education programme, known as Nippers and Junior Lifesaving, which provided more than 104 hours of training to 60 local children last year. Young participants are taught vital water safety skills, first aid knowledge and how to enjoy water sports safely and sustainably.

The club is currently recruiting new volunteers to support both frontline lifesaving activities and essential behind-the-scenes roles, including committee positions and fundraising support.

Charity

Concert at St Davids Cathedral to support hospice care in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MUSIC lovers in Pembrokeshire are being invited to enjoy a special lunchtime concert at St Davids Cathedral later this month, with proceeds supporting the Paul Sartori Foundation’s hospice-at-home services.

The event, hosted by Totally Vocal Pembrokeshire, will take place on Saturday (Feb 21) at 1:00pm and will bring together local singing groups in the cathedral’s historic setting. The concert will also feature internationally renowned a cappella leader Deke Sharon.

Sharon, often described as the “godfather” of contemporary a cappella, is best known for his work on the hit Pitch Perfect films. His return to Pembrokeshire follows a successful workshop visit in late 2025 at the invitation of Pembrokeshire Pop Voices.

The local choir has chosen the Paul Sartori Foundation as one of its charities of the year and has been raising funds through a range of musical initiatives. Before Christmas, the group released a charity single titled Love the Bones of You, with proceeds helping to support hospice care across the county.

Supporters can contribute by streaming or downloading the song, or simply asking a smart speaker to play it — a small action organisers say can make a meaningful difference.

Further fundraising events are planned for the spring, including an evening of music and entertainment on Saturday (Mar 28) at 7:30pm at The Regency Hall in Saundersfoot. Pembrokeshire Pop Voices will be joined by Paul Sartori supporters The Slipway Ukes and local band Footbridge for a night of music, food and fundraising.

A spokesperson for the Paul Sartori Foundation said the events highlight the power of music to bring communities together while supporting vital care services.

“These events are wonderful experiences for audiences and they also raise essential funds for our hospice-at-home services,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful to groups such as Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, Totally Vocal Pembrokeshire and The Slipway Ukes for supporting care in our community.”

Anyone interested in organising a musical fundraiser or choosing the charity as their Charity of the Year can contact community fundraiser Rosie-Faye at [email protected].

Tickets for the St Davids Cathedral concert are available online via TicketSource, while tickets for the Saundersfoot event can be purchased through The Slipway Ukes or via the Paul Sartori Foundation website.

Charity

Tenby golf captain raises more than £8,000 for hospice charity

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fundraising year inspired by personal experience of end-of-life care

TENBY GOLF CLUB has announced that £8,360.68 has been raised for the Paul Sartori Foundation after a year of fundraising led by club captain Heather Morgan.

Heather’s captaincy was particularly notable as she is only the second female captain in the club’s history since it was founded in 1888. Her choice of charity was inspired by personal experience, following the care and support provided to her mother by the hospice-at-home charity.

Her mother, who lived to the age of 97, was able to remain at home during her final days thanks to the support of Paul Sartori’s clinical team.

Heather said she could not have managed without the compassion and professionalism of the staff, who supported both her mother and the wider family during a difficult time. She therefore chose the charity not only to raise funds, but also to increase awareness of the services available to families across Pembrokeshire.

The fundraising year included a packed programme of well-supported events, including a charity golf day, Captain’s Day, and a popular night golf competition. Members and guests also supported quiz nights with themed food, a special performance by Tenby Male Voice Choir, as well as Easter and Christmas raffles.

Joanne Lutwyche, Events and Fundraising Officer for the Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “Becoming a charity of the year is a great privilege for us, and we always aim to support our community fundraisers as much as possible during the time we are chosen.

“Our fundraising and events team have been astonished by the generosity of the golfers throughout the year. We have been invited to support events at Tenby Golf Club, and they have been great fun to be part of.”

The charity has thanked Heather Morgan, Tenby Golf Club, and everyone who contributed to the fundraising efforts, saying the money will help provide hospice-at-home care for people living with life-limiting illness across Pembrokeshire.

The funds raised will enable more families to receive care and comfort in their own homes at the most difficult times.

Photo caption: Heather Morgan with Brendan Monnelly, General Manager at Tenby Golf Club (Pic supplied).