Charity

Coach driver raises over £41,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after health scare

Published

11 months ago

June 13, 2025

Volunteer praises ‘lifesaving service’ as community rallies behind his fundraising efforts

A PEMBROKESHIRE coach driver who volunteers for Wales Air Ambulance has raised an incredible £41,000 for the charity over the past six years.

Richard ‘Barney’ Lewis, who works for Pembrokeshire County Council’s Transport Bus and Coaches team, began fundraising after a serious health scare in 2010.

“I had a mini-stroke,” said Barney. “The two paramedics who came to my aid also worked for Wales Air Ambulance. Back then, there were no helicopters flying at night, and there weren’t any clinicians on board. It’s changed so much.”

Wales Air Ambulance now operates four helicopters, with onboard NHS consultants and critical care practitioners. The service also runs a night-time operation from Cardiff, covering all of Wales.

“It’s fantastic,” Barney added. “It’s like the emergency department comes to you — they can deliver advanced care on scene.”

The consultant-led service brings hospital-level treatment to patients wherever they are, including blood transfusions, anaesthesia, and even minor operations. The charity needs to raise £11.2 million annually to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road. It is delivered through a partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the NHS’s Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS).

After recovering from his stroke, Barney returned to work and began raising funds.

“It took me 18 months to recover,” he said. “Once I was fit again, I wanted to give back. I’ve raised quite a bit over the years — I’ve lost count how much! I just love supporting the Charity because it helps thousands of people across Wales.”

His fundraising efforts include sponsored bike rides, walks, and a 100-mile challenge last October, which he completed despite suffering from sciatica.

“I spread the miles out over three months,” he said. “One day I took a bucket and walked from Pembroke Dock to Milton and back. I stopped at a local pub for a glass of water and they let me collect there. Then I went into Café 9, and ended up at Bethany Chapel where ladies at a coffee morning were putting £5 notes in my bucket. I raised £178 that day alone.”

Barney has since launched a regular tabletop and coffee morning at Pennar Community Centre.

“I used to do car boot sales,” he explained, “but working six days a week, I couldn’t manage the 4:30am starts. So I started a monthly event at Pennar. We raised £300 at our first one. The next is on June 28, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.”

He’s supported by friends Pauline Morgan, Jessica Lewis, Heidi Rowland, and the team from Milford Marina’s Spinnaker Café, who bake cakes and have even donated four picnic benches to help boost footfall.

Barney also sells unwanted items online to raise additional funds.

“I put things on Marketplace and sell them — every penny goes to the air ambulance,” he said. “Since January 1, I’ve raised £999 just from that, not counting everything else I do.”

He added: “People are so generous when they hear it’s for the air ambulance. Everyone knows how vital it is to our communities. I’ll keep volunteering as long as I can — I’ve made new friends, it keeps me active, and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: “Barney is a fabulous ambassador for our Charity. His incredible £41,000 total is the equivalent cost of around thirteen lifesaving missions. Volunteers like him are crucial to what we do.”

Sandra Hembery, Volunteer Development Manager, added: “Barney is an absolute star and a shining example of the difference our volunteers make. We are truly grateful for his service over the years — in all weathers!”

To find out more about volunteering with Wales Air Ambulance, visit:
www.walesairambulance.com/volunteer.

Charity

Chief’s Tour honours fallen officers with 75-mile Pembrokeshire ride

Published

16 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police team raises thousands for bereaved police families charity

A TEAM of officers and staff from Dyfed-Powys Police cycled 75 miles across west Wales on Wednesday (May 6) in memory of colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The annual “Chief’s Tour of Pembs 2026” saw participants travel from Fishguard to Carmarthen while raising money for the charity Care of Police Survivors, commonly known as COPS.

The force said the event raised £2,690, with funds going towards support for the families of police officers who have died while serving their communities.

Along the route, cyclists stopped at several locations to meet relatives of fallen officers and take part in moments of reflection.

In a statement shared on social media, the force said the tour was held “in memory of all Dyfed-Powys Police officers who have lost their lives in service.”

The post added: “Those we’ve lost will always remain in our thoughts.”

COPS supports the families of officers who have died on duty by organising national and regional events, helping survivors build support networks and friendships with others who have experienced similar loss.

Dyfed-Powys Police thanked members of the public who supported the cyclists during the challenge.

“A huge thank you to our community for showing our Chief’s Tour cyclists support as they passed through Pembrokeshire,” the force said.

“Your cheers, waves and encouragement kept spirits high for those taking part.”

The 75-mile challenge took riders across parts of north and west Pembrokeshire before continuing east towards Carmarthenshire, combining physical endurance with remembrance and fundraising.

Police charities such as COPS often work quietly behind the scenes, supporting bereaved families long after national attention fades following the death of an officer.

Charity

Milford Haven Town Council Continues Support for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home

Published

20 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting local residents by awarding funding to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home following a successful application for financial assistance.

The £500 contribution will help support the ongoing delivery of vital day and night home nursing care for people receiving end-of-life care in the Milford Haven area.

The Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor William Elliott, said: “It is a privilege for Milford Haven Town Council to continue supporting this important and vital service, which provides much-needed care and reassurance to residents in our community when it is needed most.

The work of Paul Sartori is incredibly important, and we thank them for all they do — not only for people in Milford Haven, but across the whole county.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home is a registered charity providing high-quality end-of-life care and a wide range of free services to individuals and families throughout Pembrokeshire. Through an open referral system, patients, carers, and family members can access specialist clinical care, emotional support, guidance, and practical assistance, with many services delivered directly in patients’ homes.

A cheque for £500 was presented by the Mayor of Milford Haven to Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Judith Williams said: “We are extremely grateful to Milford Haven Town Council and its councillors for their continued support. Donations such as this make a real difference locally, helping us provide compassionate, dignified care to people in Milford Haven at the end of life.

Support from town and community councils not only helps sustain essential nursing services, but also reflects the strong partnership between Paul Sartori and the communities we serve. We truly value this ongoing commitment.”

The Paul Sartori nursing team currently provides approximately 150 hours of care each month within the Milford Haven area. Funding from Milford Haven Town Council will directly support local residents, enabling them to remain at home and receive professional, compassionate care surrounded by loved ones.

Alongside day and night nursing care, the charity also offers equipment loans, complementary therapies, bereavement and counselling support, and future care planning services — all free of charge and designed to maintain dignity, comfort, and independence for patients and families.

Families across Pembrokeshire living with a life-limiting illness can benefit from Paul Sartori Hospice at Home services. However, as a charitable organisation, the service relies heavily on the generosity of local communities, supporters, and fundraising initiatives to continue delivering this essential care.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home is encouraging town and community councils across Pembrokeshire to consider supporting the charity to help ensure high-quality end-of-life care remains accessible throughout the county.

Photo Caption:

Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, pictured with the Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor William Elliott.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

2 days ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.