Community

Purina offers £170,000 grant for Welsh charities using pets to support vulnerable people

Published

5 months ago

July 25, 2025

Call for applications to BetterWithPets Prize as majority in Wales say pets provide emotional support

LEADING pet care company Purina is urging organisations in Wales to apply for a major grant aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people through the bond between humans and animals.

The BetterWithPets Prize is offering a total of £171,827 over two years to support charities and community groups that work with pets to boost health and wellbeing. Applications are open now and close on Friday, 12 September.

The move follows new research showing that 91% of adults in Wales believe pets and humans share a special connection, and that 90% of pet owners say their pet has helped them when feeling vulnerable. More than half of those surveyed (54%) said they felt a stronger emotional bond with their pet than with family or friends.

The funding forms part of Purina’s wider mission to help one million people in vulnerable situations by 2030, using the power of the pet-human bond.

Since it launched in 2018, the BetterWithPets Prize has already supported a number of UK-based organisations, including Pets As Therapy, which arranges animal visits to hospitals, care homes, and prisons, and StreetVet, a charity providing free veterinary care for the pets of people experiencing homelessness.

Steven Wibberley, Chief Executive of Pets As Therapy, said:
“Thanks to the funding from Purina, we’ve been able to expand our work, recruit more staff to help our volunteers, and develop our systems so even more people can benefit from the magic of pet companionship.”

Jade Statt, Co-Director at StreetVet, said: “Through the BetterWithPets Prize, we were able to fund and start our project. It also gave us access to a community of like-minded organisations and Purina’s valuable expertise.”

This year, Purina is particularly keen to hear from Welsh organisations working with:

Assistance dogs for physical or mental health conditions
Animal-assisted therapy projects
Schemes that provide pet companionship for older or isolated people

Calum Macrae, Regional Director for Purina UK and Ireland, said: “We know there is magic in the pet-human bond that can change lives. We want to support more brilliant organisations making a real difference with the help of animals.”

Applicants will be assessed by an expert panel based on impact, innovation and community benefit. Full details and the application form are available at: www.purina.co.uk/betterwithpetsprize

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

16 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)