Charity

Pembrokeshire rescue featured in RNLI’s new lifeguard podcast

Published

2 months ago

April 10, 2026

A DRAMATIC rescue at Newgale Beach is featured in the first episode of a new RNLI podcast marking the 25th anniversary of the charity’s lifeguard service.

The podcast, titled We Are Lifeguards, tells the story of how Pembrokeshire lifeguard Matty McLeod helped save the life of holidaymaker Joanna Hicks after she got into difficulty in the sea at Newgale in July 2023.

Joanna lost consciousness in the water and her life was in danger, but Matty was able to respond quickly thanks to his RNLI training.

The five-episode series has been launched by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to celebrate 25 years since the organisation rolled out its beach lifeguarding service. It features interviews with lifeguards and people they have rescued, while also exploring how the service has helped make beaches safer since 2001.

The first episode, WE ARE LIFEGUARDS: Saving lives on the beach with the RNLI, focuses on the Newgale rescue and also gives listeners an insight into the demanding training RNLI lifeguards undergo to prepare for the summer season.

RNLI lifeguards have been helping to keep beaches in Pembrokeshire safer since 2008.

Over the past 25 years, RNLI lifeguards across the UK have carried out more than 48 million preventative actions, attended more than 330,000 incidents and aided more than 440,000 people on beaches in the UK and Channel Islands.

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI beach lifeguards have saved 164 lives, the highest number recorded anywhere in Wales. Since the service began locally in 2008, lifeguards have also aided 15,513 people and carried out 1,799 rescues.

Peter Dawes, General Manager of Lifeguard Operations, said: “Since our lifeguarding service began in 2001, we’ve seen more people visit our beaches and enjoy the water.

“Our highly-trained, capable and skilled lifeguards spend their time talking to people, sharing our safety advice and educating visitors about the dangers, as well as carrying out rescues and providing first aid.

“The launch of this podcast not only marks our 25th anniversary, but also the return of lifeguards to beaches ahead of what will be another busy summer. If you are heading to the coast, be sure to choose an RNLI lifeguarded beach.”

The podcast is available through the RNLI website and major podcast platforms.

To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit the RNLI website.

Charity

Tenby club raises £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

4 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TENBY INNER WHEEL CLUB has raised £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after holding a popular fish and chip supper fundraiser.

The club has supported the lifesaving charity for 12 years, raising £8,600 in total.

The latest event, held at the Boathouse in Saundersfoot, included both lunch and evening sittings, as well as a raffle.

The Inner Wheel Club of Tenby is a women’s organisation focused on friendship and service. It currently has 23 members who raise money for a range of good causes.

Karen Tulley, from the club, said: “Our members use our skills to promote and help good causes, while having plenty of fun at the same time.

“We are all aware that Wales Air Ambulance relies totally on donations and receives no government funding, which is why we are always keen to make this a really good event and raise as much money as we can.

“The air ambulance service is essential, particularly in rural areas.”

Following the fundraiser, Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, attended the club’s annual meeting, where he was presented with the £1,000 cheque.

He said: “A huge thank you to everyone at Inner Wheel Club of Tenby for raising a further £1,000 for our service.

“The members have fundraised for us for 12 years and in that time they have raised an incredible £8,600, which is amazing. We really do appreciate their ongoing support of our all-Wales charity.

“Fundraisers like these will ensure that the Wales Air Ambulance continues to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatment to patients and, if needed, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital.

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

Pic: Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, at the cheque presentation.

Charity

Charity golf day to support cancer awareness after Derek’s diagnosis

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LOCAL businesses are being asked to support a charity golf day in Rosemarket this July after organiser Derek Rowlands was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

Derek’s Charity Golf Day will take place at Dawn Til Dusk Golf Club on Friday, July 10, with proceeds going to Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The event will be played in a Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to enter at £80 per team. Tee times will run from 8:00am.

Derek was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. His illness was identified early, allowing him to undergo surgery soon after diagnosis. He continues to receive monthly treatment and has organised the event to raise both funds and awareness.

Neuroendocrine cancers can develop in different parts of the body, including the digestive system, pancreas and lungs. Symptoms can often be vague, meaning some patients are diagnosed late.

Local businesses are being invited to support the event by sponsoring a hole for a minimum donation of £100, donating raffle or competition prizes, entering a team, or helping to promote the day.

There are up to 18 hole sponsorship opportunities available, with sponsors able to display banners or promotional materials at their designated hole.

Anyone wishing to enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a prize or find out more can contact Derek on 07823 323 134.

Charity

Local insurance brokers help raise over £1,300 for Bluebirds Foundation

Published

6 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

The Haverfordwest County AFC Bluebirds Foundation is celebrating a £1,300 boost this month thanks to local insurance brokers Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking.

A recent fundraising day raised £653.64, which was fund matched by the insurance broker’s parent company, the Benefact Group, doubling the amount to over £1,300.

Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking St Clears are sponsors of Haverfordwest County AFC
which includes supporting the charitable arm of the club, Bluebirds Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the prevention of poverty and strengthens the bond between the
football club and local people, including launching junior supporter clubs and community
brunch clubs.
Harry Thomas, aTrustee at Bluebirds Foundation said:
“We are extremely grateful to Lloyd & Whyte for further enhancing the funds raised at
our Foundation Fundraiser, held at the Ogi Bridge Meadow in collaboration with
Haverfordwest County AFC and we look forward to working closely with Lloyd & White again at future events.”
Leyla Phillips stated:
“Events like this show what community is all about. I think it’s great what the
Bluebirds foundation are doing locally for Pembrokeshire, and it was a pleasure to be
a part of it. Being part of Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking and the Benefact Group
made it even more special as we are proud to match all funds that were raised on the day which I’m sure will be a nice addition for the foundation, to enable them to carry
on doing great initiatives within our community.’’
The funday event saw bouncy castles, cake stands, a raffle, shirt swap stand, kick-up
competitions, and inflatable goal, alongside the normal match day activities, all providing
hours of fun for spectators and supporters.

And to top it all, Haverfordwest County AFC won 6-0 on the day against Llanelli Town AFC.