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National Lottery Community Fund projects making waves across West Wales

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DR SIMONE Lowthe-Thomas, Chair of Wales Committee, The National Lottery Community Fund Wales, visited several National Lottery-funded projects in Pembrokeshire this week (Oct 21) to see first-hand the difference that National Lottery funding is making in helping people live healthier lives and become more environmentally sustainable.

In the last five years, The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded 181 grants worth £7 million in Pembrokeshire. This includes £4 million for health and wellbeing projects, over £400,000 for environment-related activities, £600,000 for children and young people’s projects, and over £400,000 for projects supporting people with disabilities.

Dr Lowthe-Thomas, joined by members of the Wales Committee, began her tour at the Preseli Rural Transport Association, which received £348,802 for its Green Dragon Wellbeing Connections project. This initiative provides accessible, low-carbon travel solutions, offering a wheelchair-accessible minibus and MPV car for low-cost transport to groups and individuals.

TOGETHER FOR CHANGE

The next stop was Solva Care, where the Committee learned about its Together for Change project, supported by a five-year grant of £309,961. The funding allows Solva Care to expand services that boost social interaction and promote green wellbeing models across Pembrokeshire communities.

Dr Lowthe-Thomas said: “It has been a real pleasure seeing and hearing more about the fantastic work happening in Pembrokeshire, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. I’d like to thank Preseli Rural Transport Association, Solva Care, Blue Horizons, and Cariad Pet Therapy for their warm welcome.”

“The National Lottery Community Fund’s strategy, ‘It starts with community,’ focuses on four key missions: supporting communities to come together, promoting environmental sustainability, helping children and young people thrive, and enabling healthier living.”

“It’s fantastic that our Wales Committee has had the opportunity to visit groups that are helping us deliver on our missions through their incredible work.”

SURFING FOR ALL

The tour also included a visit to Blue Horizons and its Surfing for All project, which received a one-year grant of £16,603. This initiative provides accessible surfing and surf therapy for people with disabilities and additional needs across South West Wales.

CARIAD PET THERAPY

To conclude their visit, the Committee met with Cariad Pet Therapy. With a three-year grant of £222,420, the organisation is expanding its pet therapy services across South and West Wales, reaching isolated individuals in the community and in care settings, hospitals, mental health units, schools, and workplaces. The grant also supports training new volunteers and expanding the Robot Pet Service and Pet Food Bank service, which was established during the Covid-19 pandemic to meet rising demand.

This year marks 30 years since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, with £30 million raised each week for good causes. More than £1 billion has been awarded to communities across Wales through 23,096 grants over this period.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

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MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

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Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

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Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

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Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

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