Charity

Tesco branches in Pembrokeshire help raise £40,000 funds for Air Ambulance

Published

10 months ago

February 19, 2025

SUPERMARKET staff and their customers have raised an incredible £40,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity in tribute to the team reaching 50,000 missions earlier this year.

Twenty-five Tesco Extra and twenty-three Express stores have taken part in a fundraiser which spanned from Milford Haven, up to Aberystwyth across to Caerphilly.

Regional store managers Nicola McGuiness and Vanessa Martin worked with their teams to “create something special” after learning the lifesaving service had supported many of its staff members’ family and friends.

Martin, who runs an Express store in Swansea, said: “A colleague’s father, had a health emergency and needed the air ambulance, so we all felt it was a really important cause to get behind.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

The service is pan-Wales, and Matt Bourne who runs a Tesco Extra in Bridgend said it was important to reflect that by trying to get as many stores as possible across the country involved.

He said: “It has been fantastic working together across the Tesco family. We have been able to bring together all our colleagues from the Extra stores, like Bridgend where I work to the express stores like Martin’s in Sketty.”

Matt is a keen runner who oftens takes on big challenges like marathons and ultra marathons. He said: “Given my record, when I first reached out to colleagues, they were quire apprehensive.

“But once they knew we were organising a slightly smaller do-able walk, they were delighted.”

Around forty staff took part in a 12-mile hike along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path from Freshwater East to Broadhaven South on 15 September 2024. Local landlord Nigel Land, from Jack’s at the Longhouse provided shelter, hot drinks, and cooked food for the team.

Matt said: “It was great to catch up with so many people who we’ve worked with in the past who have moved to other stores, and I hadn’t seen for years.

“It was a positive experience, not only because we’re helping a great local charity, but just to catch up and take some time out in the beautiful Welsh country.

“We were super grateful that Nigel at Jack’s at the Longhouse – stepped in and saved the day too – he really looked after us all.”

Each store has organised their own fundraisers from second-hand book sales, cake bakes too sponsored fitness challenges.

Matt continued: “There were running and cycling events in store, with gym machines brought in.

“The ones fortunate enough to have close links with their local air ambulance base managed to get pop up banners, which looked great.”

He added: “We’ve felt the love from customers running groups, cycling groups, motorbike groups, people that have had lots of experience with the Welsh air ambulance.

“This has been such an easy thing to raise money for because people are so enthusiastic about the charity, which encouraged us to keep going.”

Larger stores were set a £1,500 target, whilst the smaller ones were tasked with raising £250.

Matt said: “There’s been a playful sense of competition between a few of the large stores, including Haverfordwest and Carmarthen who raised £2,300 between them.

“I think once we get the final figure, everyone will feel a real sense of pride.”

He added: “It was a bigger hill for the smaller stores to climb too, so it’s great that the larger ones did so well. They’ve done a brilliant job.”

Martin who lives near the air ambulance’s base in Dafen near Llanelli, says he often sees it taken off from the back garden of his home.

He said: “It’s one of those things that you fundraise for, but you never want to have to use because you know it’s only coming to you if you are seriously unwell or injured.”

The whole team have been over-whelmed by the kindness shown to them. Local suppliers like Braces Bread donated £500 and a signed Swans shirt appeared on Martin’s desk.

He said: “I only mentioned on our store Facebook page what we were doing and a female customer messaged saying she’d get the team to sign this season’s shirt.”

Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Martin said: “It costs such a huge amount of money each year to run and what we have raised in comparison is a real drop in the ocean.

“But over these past few months, everyone we’ve spoken with and told what we were doing have been very positive about supporting the cause.”

He added: “I think most people don’t realise how much these clinicians do at the scene. It has educated us about the work the air ambulance does.

“It is one of those things that you want to help fundraise for but never want to have to use because you know they are only coming to you if you are seriously unwell or injured.”

The Tesco team recently visited Wales Air Ambulance’s airbase in Dafen, to hand over a cheque for £40,000. Martin said: “It’s so fascinating to actually come and see the base. When you do the fundraising and your challenges, you don’t think about the area where the helicopter comes from, or the people involved.

“But just coming here and seeing the facilities and the clinicians, it has been incredible to see everything up close and in action. We were here when the team were called out and watched it take off and then return.

“It’s just an eye opener to watch behind the scenes what actually goes on, we are just so happy to have been able to raise as much money as we have for such a great cause.”

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity said: “We were hugely proud to complete 50,000 missions earlier this year, but we could not have done it without fundraisers like this.

“The team at Tesco have been incredible, they really pulled out all the stops to make this happen and it has been wonderful for my colleagues Abi Pearce and Christian Sullivan and I, to support them along the way.

“To raise just over £40,000 is an incredible feat! It has been inspiring to see how everyone has pulled together. We are hugely grateful to all the staff and customers who made this possible.

“Each mission costs around £2,900, one hour of aftercare with our patient liaison team costs £31- so this large donation will really make a huge difference to so many people and help save lives across Wales.”

Charity

Motorcycle fundraisers transform children’s play area at Glangwili Hospital

Published

3 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Long-running 3 Amigos and Dollies group marks 25 years of support

THANKS to outstanding fundraising by the Pembrokeshire-based 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group, Hywel Dda Health Charities has funded a major improvement of the outdoor play area at Cilgerran children’s ward in Glangwili Hospital — a project costing more than £15,000.

The 3 Amigos and Dollies have supported Hywel Dda University Health Board’s children’s services for twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas toy runs becoming landmark dates in the local calendar, drawing hundreds of bikers and supporters from across west Wales.

The latest funding has delivered a full transformation of the ward’s outdoor space, including a re-sprayed graffiti wall, new toys and play equipment, a summer house, improved storage, and a moveable ramp to make the area more accessible for young patients. Members of the group even volunteered to help paint and refresh the space themselves.

Paula Goode, Service Director for Planned and Specialist Care, said: **“We are so grateful to the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group for their amazing support. Not only have they raised an incredible amount for the ward, but they have given their time to help make the outdoor space as special as possible.

“Outdoor play greatly reduces stress and anxiety for children, and it provides a vital opportunity to meet other young people going through similar experiences. It benefits both their physical and mental wellbeing, so we couldn’t be happier with the transformation.”

Tobi Evans, a volunteer with the fundraising group, said: “Because of the generosity of everyone who donates, we are able to give thousands each year. We are always humbled by how much people give, and it’s thanks to them that we’ve reached our 25th year.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “We can’t thank the 3 Amigos and Dollies enough for their support for Cilgerran ward. You have put a smile on so many faces. Diolch yn fawr!”

Hywel Dda Health Charities funds items, equipment and activities that go beyond core NHS funding, making a meaningful difference to children and families across mid and west Wales.

Charity

Haverfordwest businesswomen launch 2026 charity calendar.

Published

3 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Bold fundraiser aims to boost breast cancer support and celebrate local female entrepreneurs

HAVERFORDWEST Business Women have launched their 2026 charity calendar, with 100% of profits from every sale being donated to breast cancer charities.

The calendar, revealed this week, features a striking and humorous design promoting body positivity while celebrating the women who run and shape businesses across the town. Organisers say the project has a two-fold purpose: to raise vital funds for breast cancer research and to highlight the diverse and growing range of female-led enterprises operating in Haverfordwest.

Each purchase will help fund life-saving research and provide essential support to those affected by breast cancer — a cause many within the group say is deeply personal to them.

A spokesperson for Haverfordwest Business Women said: “A huge thank you to all the fantastic ladies brave enough to ‘bare all’ for such an important charity. This project shows the strength, humour and solidarity of the incredible women involved.”

Calendars are available now from Victoria Book Shop and other local stockists in Haverfordwest, with all profits going directly to breast cancer charities.

Charity

Crisis fund plugs gap for Welsh families as support workers warn of ‘severe hardship’

Published

5 days ago

December 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Working families among those turning to charity for emergency help

ALMOST four hundred families across Wales — more than 1,300 parents, children and young people — turned to Action for Children for crisis support over a 16-month period to 1 October, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to intensify in the run-up to Christmas.

New data from the charity shows that three in ten applications (31%) for emergency grants came from households where at least one parent is in work, while one in seven families (15%) seeking help were not claiming any means-tested benefits. Frontline support workers say that beyond these one-off grants many families “have nowhere else to turn”.

Across the UK, Action for Children is currently receiving around 300 applications a month for financial help. Three-quarters of frontline staff surveyed said the families they support are facing greater financial pressure than this time last year.

Action for Children, which runs hundreds of services across the UK, analysed data from its Family Fund — delivered in partnership with Nationwide — as part of its annual Secret Santa campaign. The fund provides crisis grants for essentials such as food, appliances, clothing and basic household items.

Between June 2024 and September 2025, nearly £85,000 was distributed to families in Wales alone.

What Welsh families needed most

The charity reports that four essential categories accounted for three-quarters of all crisis spending:

Food (33%)
Household appliances (16%)
Home furnishings and repairs (15%)
Clothing (12%)

Other key findings include:

47% of applications came from families receiving Universal Credit.
61% were from families with one or two children.
49% were from single-parent households.

Support workers described families unable to replace broken beds, parents going without showers to save electricity, and minimum-wage workers unable to afford carpets or basic furniture despite working full-time hours.

One worker said: “A 9-year-old was sleeping in a toddler bed because the family simply couldn’t afford a replacement. They were already falling behind on bills.”

Another reported helping a young single mother: “She had no carpets, barely any furniture, and a sofa she’d been given that was full of fleas. Her wages covered her bills but nothing more. She didn’t qualify for additional support.”

Mental health impact

The charity’s data shows the emotional toll is severe.

74% of Welsh applications recorded anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns linked to financial hardship.
29% noted that children’s mental health was directly affected by money worries at home.

One support worker said children were avoiding socialising: “They don’t ask to go out because they don’t want parents to feel bad when they can’t give them pocket money.”

Charity calls for urgent action

Laurie Ryall, Action for Children’s National Director in Wales, said: “Our Family Fund data lays bare the devastating impact financial hardship is having on vulnerable families — and that doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas. Staff are helping families every day who try their hardest yet still can’t afford to heat their homes or put food on the table. It is heartbreaking to see the toll on parents and children alike.”

She welcomed the UK Government’s child poverty strategy and the decision to scrap the two-child limit, which the charity has long campaigned for, but warned the change will not take effect until April 2026 and will not help all families currently struggling.

“The Welsh Government is also taking steps on child poverty, but families need help now. That’s why we’re asking the public to get behind our Secret Santa campaign so we can continue supporting the children who need us most.”

Case study

Sarah, a single mother from South Wales living with chronic fibromyalgia, relies on Universal Credit and frequently uses food banks. She said Christmas is “an extremely stressful time”.

Her nine-year-old daughter attends Action for Children’s Emoji Project, which helps children understand and express difficult emotions. Last Christmas, the charity provided Sarah with a £250 food voucher and a new bed and mattress for her daughter.

Sarah said the support was transformative: “Every month is a struggle. We were on a pay-as-you-go electricity metre and I often let my daughter shower while I went without. My daughter’s old bed had broken and she was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I sleep on the sofa, so I couldn’t help her. The shame and worry were enormous.”

“The food voucher took such a weight off my mind. It freed up money for heating. But Christmas still brings panic because I want her to have a magical day without knowing how anxious I am.”