Respected Fishguard seaman served for two decades and led hundreds of launches

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Fishguard RNLI coxswain Francis ‘Frankie’ George MBE, who has died.

Mr George, who retired in 2002 after nearly twenty years of dedicated service, was described as one of the finest seamen of his generation. During his time with the lifeboat station, he took part in hundreds of service launches and was deeply respected throughout the lifeboat community.

Chris Williams, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager and former lifeboat mechanic, said: “Francis (Frankie) George MBE was quite simply one of the finest seamen I have ever sailed with. He engendered respect from all who met him.

“His professionalism and skill were second to none, and he inspired total confidence in his crews, even in the foulest of weather.

“With his passing, Fishguard has lost one of its true characters. He will be missed by all who knew him. As a mark of respect, the flag above the lifeboat station will be flown at half-mast.”

The RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat crew extended their heartfelt condolences to Mr George’s family and friends.

Respected coxswain: Frankie George MBE led hundreds of lifeboat launches from Fishguard (Pic: RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat)

2,400 cupcakes baked and sold in emotional fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

A REMARKABLE community fundraiser in memory of a Milford Haven schoolgirl has raised more than £6,000 — with cakes still flying off the shelves.

The event, called Honey’s Big Birthday Bake Off, saw friends and family of 12-year-old Honey Foxx French come together to bake, decorate and box an astonishing 2,400 cupcakes, sold in boxes of six to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance.

Honey passed away unexpectedly at her home in October last year. This month would have marked her 13th birthday, and her family chose to honour her memory by supporting the service that helped them on the day of her death.

Led by Honey’s mother, Jessica Foxx, and her partner Alan French, the bake off took place in Johnston, with supporters working round the clock to meet demand. The original goal was to sell 100 boxes — but by the end, they had taken 400 orders, with many more donations still coming in.

Jessica said: “We’ve cried happy tears doing this for Honey. The support has been overwhelming. I never imagined it would grow this big.”

In the days leading up to the main bake off, additional fundraising events took place — including a raffle and a lively challenge dubbed Honey Bees Wax Off, which saw family friend Kevin Higgins undergo a sponsored chest wax in the pub to boost donations.

Photos shared online captured the scale of the effort, showing tables stacked with yellow cupcake cases, trays of pink sugar decorations, and box after box carefully packed and labelled with Honey’s name and a bee-themed tribute.

Volunteers described the atmosphere as “emotional but electric,” with many working into the early hours to make sure every last cupcake was finished and delivered on time.

The fundraiser has now surpassed £6,000, all of which will go to support the Wales Air Ambulance’s lifesaving work.

A spokesperson for the charity said they were “incredibly grateful” for the donation, calling it “a beautiful way to honour Honey’s memory and help save lives across Wales.”

The family say they’re not done yet, with more boxes still being collected and ideas already forming for next year.

Team beats £10K target during two-day trek along Milford Haven Waterway

STAFF from the Port of Milford Haven have smashed their fundraising target, raising over £12,000 for charity during a 40-mile hike around the Milford Haven Waterway.

The two-day Coastal Challenge took place on 26 and 27 June, with 17 staff walking a scenic but demanding stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Starting at West Angle Bay, the group followed the southern shoreline to Cleddau Bridge, crossed to the north bank, and continued on to St Anne’s Head – covering over 40 miles in total.

The aim was to raise £10,000 for three charities: Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation and Young Lives vs Cancer. Thanks to generous donations from supporters, the team exceeded their goal by more than £2,000.

The route passed key sites along the waterway, including Valero and South Hook LNG, allowing staff to engage with stakeholders and members of the public along the way.

Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port and organiser of the challenge, praised the efforts of all involved.

“Myself and the Coastal Challenge walkers would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated to these three important charities,” he said. “It gave the whole team an incredible boost to know we were making a difference.

“We’re also grateful to our colleagues who supported us behind the scenes – providing food, helping with logistics, and spreading the word to raise awareness and donations.

“The whole challenge really captured the spirit of the Port’s values – working together, supporting the community, and doing something meaningful while enjoying the outdoors.”

The Port of Milford Haven encourages all staff to take part in volunteering and community initiatives that support its broader mission: building a prosperous, inclusive community, protecting the environment, and ensuring a safe, accessible waterway.

As a Trust Port, it also operates a Community Fund to help support local projects and charitable causes.

More information about the Port’s Community Fund is available at:
www.mhpa.co.uk/about/environment-society-governance/community