Charity

Pembrokeshire farming couple takes bull by the horns in family fund raiser for talented singers

Published

1 month ago

April 21, 2025

A Pembrokeshire farming couple will be taking the bull firmly by the horns next month after agreeing to take part in one of the toughest cycling challenges in Wales’ cycling calendar – the Carten100.

Mark and Caroline Davies – who run the 265-acre dairy farm at New House, Little Newcastle – have agreed to do the 108-mile cycle to raise funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, which is a charity set up in memory of Caroline’s 13-year-old niece who died in a swimming tragedy in Florida in 2024.

“When my sister, Liz, first mentioned that she’d be cycling the Carten100 to raise funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, I started googling it and decided it would be a good idea to take part too,” explained Caroline. “Liz did it five or six years ago, but when I told them about my idea to take part too, they all laughed!”

But a week later, Caroline received a road bike, complete with a helmet, from Liz’s husband Pete, who is himself a highly accomplished cyclist.

“Pete had every faith in me, and this has helped to spur me on and start training for an event that I never imagined would be possible.”

Last December Caroline’s husband, Mark, decided that he, too, would take part in the Carten100 which extends from Cardiff city centre to Cowbridge, Swansea, Llanelli, Burry Port, Carmarthen, St Clears and Tavernspite before finally terminating at Tenby Harbour.

But with around 400 head of cattle to manage as well as three young daughters aged 11, 7 and 2, the couple’s training schedule has been challenging..

“It goes without saying that our lives are very hectic, but we’re managing to find time to either get out onto the roads or have half and hour on the turbo,” continued Caroline, “Obviously turbo training can be pretty boring, but at least there’s a little wild rabbit who comes out into the garden which I can watch which helps relieve the monotony.

“This morning I managed to do half an hour and I’lll be doing another 30 minutes later this evening. Over the weekend we’ll be going out for a much longer ride, but this takes a lot of planning. The vet is coming out for a routine visit first thing on Saturday morning, we’ve got a meeting scheduled for later that day and then we have to make sure we have a babysitter on hand to look after the children.

“And when we get back from the ride, it’s back on with the wellies to do some more farming.”

‘Anna’s Song’ was launched following Anna Beaumont’s tragic death in May, 2024. The 13-year-old was a highly accomplished singer, who had performed extensively with Only Kids Aloud and Only Girls Aloud on platforms across the UK as well as at Disneyland, Paris, and St Davids Hall in Cardiff. The charity is raising funds to help support talented teenage singers with professionally led workshops, live events and partnerships to help them pursue a career in singing.

“The first workshop was held at the end of March at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and the feedback we’ve had from the families of the six young people who took part has been phenomenal,” said Caroline.

“The charity’s aim is to offer opportunities to inspire young singers by hosting workshops, events and mentorships.”

Meanwhile, with just three weeks to go before the Carten 100 takes place on May 10, Caroline and Mark are doing everything they can to step-up their training regime so they can complete the challenge together with Liz, Pete and their son, Jake Beaumont who, at 12 years old, will be one of the youngest cyclists taking part.

“Now that it’s getting closer, the stress levels are definitely starting to kick in, and it’s getting to the point where I’m beginning to wonder whether it might be easier to sit all my A’ levels again,” laughs Caroline.

“There’s no way that I would be doing the Carten100 if it wasn’t for the family circumstances, and at the end of the day, I’m determined not to fail. Mark and I are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure our fitness levels are capable of completing it, and I know that once we set off from Cardiff on May 10, the adrenaline is going to kick in. All we want to do is help to boost ‘Anna’s Song’ just that little bit more.”

If you would like to make a donation to Anna’s Song, click on the link

Charity

Milford Haven Inner Wheel donates £700 to Megan’s Starr Foundation

Published

23 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the Inner Wheel Club of Milford Haven have donated £700 to the Megan’s Starr Foundation following a successful charity fashion show.

The fundraising event, held at Image by Vanessa, raised funds in support of the foundation’s ongoing work promoting youth wellbeing, suicide prevention, and mental health support in the local area.

Representatives from the Inner Wheel were warmly welcomed to The Dizzy Bear on Thursday evening (May 23), where they presented the donation and spent time learning more about the foundation’s projects.

A spokesperson for Megan’s Starr Foundation said: “It was so lovely to host the ladies of the Inner Wheel Club at The Dizzy Bear last night. Their support means the world to us and helps us continue making a real difference in our community.”

The Megan’s Starr Foundation, based in Pembrokeshire, was established in memory of Megan Evans, who tragically died by suicide at the age of 14. The charity works to ensure young people feel heard, supported, and empowered.

Photo caption:

Grateful thanks: Members of the Inner Wheel Club with Megan’s Starr Foundation team at The Dizzy Bear (Pic: Megan’s Starr Foundation)

Charity

Wales sees surge in food bank use as celebrities urge UK Government to act

Published

1 day ago

May 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

171,673 emergency parcels distributed across Wales last year

A GROWING number of Welsh families are relying on food banks, with new figures showing that nearly 172,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025.

The data, released today (Friday, May 23) by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust, shows the scale of food poverty in the UK – with 2.9 million parcels handed out nationally. Over one million of those were for children.

In Wales, food parcel distribution has increased by 26% since 2019/20, a sign that for many communities, hunger is becoming normalised.

The figures have sparked renewed calls for government action, with well-known faces including Dame Julie Walters and Lesley Manville urging ministers to address what they describe as a national emergency.

Dame Julie said: “Emergency food distribution is being normalised in the UK. These stats highlight the need for us to come together and play our part in saying this isn’t right.”

In Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales, campaigners warn that the situation is worsened by isolation, limited services, and higher energy bills – all pushing vulnerable people to crisis point.

Actor Lesley Manville, who recently won an Olivier Award, said: “I’m shocked at the extremely high levels of emergency food parcels being distributed by food banks, especially the sharp rise in children under five needing support. This has to be a wake-up call for the UK government.”

In Wales, more than 187,000 parcels were distributed the previous year – a drop in 2024/25, but still far above pre-pandemic levels. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said this cannot be seen as a success: “Thousands of families, disabled people, and working households had to access food banks. This should be a massive wake-up call.”

Comedian Rosie Jones said that proposed UK Government cuts to disability benefits could make matters worse: “Slashing the income of someone already struggling to cover life’s essentials is cruel and counterproductive.”

In Pembrokeshire, food banks such as PATCH in Milford Haven and the Trussell-linked outlets in Haverfordwest and Fishguard have seen sustained high demand. Volunteers warn that without local donations and support, they would struggle to meet needs.

TV presenter and Trussell ambassador AJ Odudu added: “Right now, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds. It’s never been more vital that we all play our part.”

The charity is calling for an urgent re-think on proposed welfare cuts and for the UK Government to take decisive action to reduce hunger and hardship.

Campaigners are also urging the public to donate food or money to their local food bank. A postcode search tool showing how many parcels were distributed in each area is available at: campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode

Charity

St Davids RNLI duck race returns this bank holiday

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

700 ducks to race the River Alun in fun-filled fundraiser

ST DAVIDS RNLI is preparing to welcome crowds once again for its much-loved duck race, which takes place on bank holiday Monday, 26 May, on the River Alun outside St Davids Cathedral.

Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s race will see 700 plastic ducks released into the river, all competing for cash prizes. The race begins at 1:00pm, with festivities kicking off from 11:00am.

Visitors can enjoy a pop-up shop, home-made cakes, and the chance to name a duck for just £2 – with all proceeds supporting the vital, lifesaving work of the RNLI in St Davids.

“The duck race is always a fantastic day out for all ages and a brilliant way to support the lifeboat station,” said Simone Eade, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer. “Every duck sold helps us continue our mission of saving lives at sea.”