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Charity

Child of Wales Awards unveils headline sponsor and opens nominations

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ON the heels of a hugely successful event in Swansea in 2024, the Child of Wales Awards has announced its new headline sponsor and the official opening of nominations for its 2025 event, set for January 25, 2025.

Pembrokeshire-based Ascona Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, has entered into a year-long partnership with the awards. This partnership culminates in the annual ceremony that celebrates the achievements and resilience of Wales’ young people while raising funds for children’s charities across the nation.

A community-focused partnership
With a network of 62 sites across the UK, Ascona Group serves more than 300,000 customers weekly and employs over 850 people. Recognized as one of the top 10 independent forecourt operators in the UK, the company has a strong commitment to supporting local communities.

Darren Briggs, CEO and Founder of Ascona Group, said: “We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of the 2025 Child of Wales Awards. It’s a privilege to support an event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of young individuals and their families across Wales. The awards shine a light on inspirational stories of courage and determination, and we are proud to play a part in recognizing these incredible children. At Ascona Group, our communities are at the heart of everything we do, and supporting the Child of Wales Awards is a huge honor.”

Recognising extraordinary achievements
Now in its fourth year, the Child of Wales Awards will once again honor the remarkable accomplishments of young people across the nation. The event promises to be an emotional and inspirational evening, attracting media personalities, celebrities, sports stars, and entertainers to the Swansea Arena.

The awards feature 11 categories celebrating personal courage, sporting and creative achievements, environmental activism, community service, and fundraising efforts. Nominations are open to children under 18 based in Wales, and submissions are free. Eligible nominees include those who have overcome illnesses, disabilities, bullying, or discrimination, or who have excelled in sports or the arts despite significant challenges.

How to get involved
Nominations can be submitted via the Child of Wales Awards website, where full details of the categories are available. A panel of judges, comprising representatives from award sponsors, celebrities, and independent advisors, will have the tough task of selecting the winners.

Businesses across Wales continue to lend their support to the awards. Alongside Ascona Group, other sponsors include Blue Tiger Marketing, Mrs Bucket, Swansea Building Society, Trade Centre Wales, Gower College, Castell Howell, Princes Gate, Westacres, and Team Wales. Opportunities remain for businesses to sponsor categories, purchase tables, or donate auction prizes to support the event.

Founder Blanche Sainsbury expressed her excitement about the 2025 awards, saying:
“After the success of the 2024 event, we are thrilled to partner with Ascona Group and open nominations for the Child of Wales Awards 2025. These awards highlight an extraordinary group of young people who inspire those around them with their courage and determination. We’re excited to return to Swansea Arena and look forward to announcing the incredible performers who will join us in celebrating these young stars. We invite businesses to get involved and join us in honoring the real heroes of Wales – these amazing children.”

To sponsor the event, book a table, or donate an auction prize, contact Blanche Sainsbury at [email protected].

The Child of Wales Awards 2025 promises to be a night to remember, celebrating the resilience, determination, and compassion of Wales’ most inspiring young people.

Charity

RNLI on the lookout for new beach lifesavers in Pembrokeshire

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LOCALLY, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is seeking budding lifeguards to launch their lifesaving careers on some of Wales’ most popular beaches.

The RNLI are recruiting beach lifesavers ahead of the 2025 season. Recruitment for this season’s lifeguard team has started nationally in preparation for providing local authorities and landowners with the service they request to keep beachgoers safe this summer. Recruitment is still open for positions in North Pembrokeshire.

The charity’s lifeguards not only rescue those in difficulty in the water, they also provide vital beach first-aid and safety advice to ensure visitors can return home safely. In 2023, RNLI lifeguards in West Wales provided patrols and responded to more than 753 incidents, helping more than 1,148 people in need, saving seven lives.

Last summer, lifeguards rescued stricken swimmers from powerful rip currents, saved children being blown offshore in inflatables, came to the aid of paddleboarders and gave lifesaving CPR on beaches among the thousands of incidents they attended.

Successful applicants will receive world-class lifesaving training, enjoy good rates of pay, the possibility of flexible working patterns and develop valuable skills for a future career.

Stuart Penfold Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire said:

‘Being a beach lifeguard is great. Although the job can be very challenging at times, you get the chance to work alongside some incredible people, receive great training, be outdoors and most importantly, make a real difference to people’s lives.

‘The role is well suited to outgoing individuals, confident swimmers and those who are passionate about helping people. This year our lifeguard team will be patrolling Poppit Sands, Newport Sands, Whitesands, Newgale, Nolton Haven and Broad Haven.’

‘To apply to join North Pembrokeshire’s Lifeguard Team visit: Lifeguards: Haverfordwest North – Poppit Sands to Broadhaven

Lee Fisher, Lifeguard Experience Manager said: ‘Beach lifeguarding is a great opportunity and a very rewarding role that changes lives – including your own – all whilst enjoying the beach as your office.

‘Our lifeguards range from teenagers all the way up to lifesavers in their 70s, as long as you meet the fitness requirements and you are over 16 years old, there could be a role for you.

‘The job also has great paths for progression – we have lifeguards who have been working for the RNLI for years, both on the beach and as part of our support teams, and the skills you gain can make an ideal first step towards many careers. It’s a great opportunity whether you want a rewarding summer job or to pursue a career in lifesaving.’

To find lifeguard vacancies in your area visit: Find a job (rnli.org)

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Charity

Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

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THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.

Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.

Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.

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Charity

Veterans rally to repair storm damage in Milford Haven

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MILFORD HAVEN’S VC Gallery veterans have stepped up to restore a woodland area hit hard by recent high winds.

The Woodlands in Milford suffered significant damage, with fallen trees crashing onto a farmer’s fence, endangering livestock and damaging the enclosure.

In response, a team of veterans, including trustee Mark Shuttleworth, Simon, Steve, and volunteer of the year Donna Evans, was deployed to clear the trees and rebuild the fencing.

The Woodlands project, run by VC Gallery, offers opportunities for people to connect with nature while learning about biodiversity and conservation.

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