Charity

Pembrokeshire woman backs campaign to raise awareness of secondary breast cancer

Published

1 month ago

October 8, 2025

A WOMAN from Pembrokeshire in South West Wales is using her personal experience to help raise awareness of a new campaign from the charity, Make 2nds Count, ahead of Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness day on October 13.

The ‘Truth Be Told’ campaign is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and was created in recognition of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer.

Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer affects an estimated 61,000 people in the UK, but remains under-recognised and under-discussed. It’s an incurable form of cancer that spreads beyond the breast to other parts of the body, often bringing immense emotional, physical and mental toll to patients and their families. An estimated 1,000 women in the UK die from the disease every month.

Mandy Smith, 53, was diagnosed de novo secondary breast cancer just over four years ago, meaning the cancer had already spread from the breast to her spine at the time of diagnosis. Her discovery was completely accidental.

She said: “My lively 12-year-old elbowed me in the chest, and after a few days, it was still really sore, so I thought I’d better get it checked. I’d always been someone who checked my chest regularly.

“That’s when they found three hidden lumps – they only came up because of the swelling from the elbow. In hindsight, I had other symptoms, but because I have fibromyalgia, the fatigue and aches were disguised.

“It’s changed everything. Emotionally, it’s been huge – I never used to be anxious, but now I get stressed, especially around scan results or even just thinking about the future.

“Physically, I’ve changed a lot – I lost my hair, eyebrows, lashes. My body looks and feels different. Treatment’s caused heart problems, thyroid issues, early menopause – just daily life is harder now.

“It’s affected my relationships and friendships, too. I had to give up work, which was a big deal for me. I’ve got two kids still living at home, so financially it’s been really tough. I can’t just do things spontaneously anymore – everything has to be planned.

“As hard as it’s been, it’s made me reflect on what really matters. I’ve met amazing people through cancer communities – the friendships have been incredible. It’s made me focus on the good. I can’t control everything, but I can choose to focus on what brings me joy.

“At first, I didn’t think I wanted my portrait taken. I’m not that confident anymore, especially with how my body’s changed. But then I thought – I’m still here.

“The treatment has been brutal, but I’m still standing. That means something. It felt empowering. Yes, I felt vulnerable – but I also felt proud. It’s about showing strength, survival, and what secondary breast cancer really looks like.”

As part of the campaign the charity undertook a new YouGov survey which showed that 47% of adults in Wales have never heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and 37% don’t know what any of the signs and symptoms are, despite it being leading cause of death for UK women between the ages of 40-59.

Figures of how many women and men are actually living with the disease are estimated because data collection is inaccurate and patchy across the UK. Audits are being attempted across some of the four nations with only Northern Ireland currently having accurate data, so that services and support can be more adequately provided.

Despite the charity’s ongoing drive to improve awareness, the statistics also indicate regional uncertainty around the disease. 29% of adults in Wales believe secondary (metastatic) breast cancer can (wrongly) be cured and only 20% selected the correct range “1,000 to 1999” for the approximate number of people secondary (metastatic) breast cancer kills every month.

Make 2nds Count is a UK patient and family focused charity dedicated to supporting those affected by secondary (metastatic) breast cancer also known as ‘stage 4’ or ‘advanced breast cancer’.

Sam Dixon, CEO of Make 2nds Count, said: “Truth Be Told is more than an awareness initiative – it’s a movement of empowerment which aims to give hope.

“This disease is real, relentless – and invisible to so many. Our goal is to ensure that the voices of those living with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer in Wales are heard, respected, and supported.

“This research shows that a high percentage of adults in Wales have never even heard of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer even though approximately 1,000 people die UK wide every month from the disease.

“We’re here to change that and give a voice to the unseen struggles of this community and show their strength through our campaign.”

The poll also highlighted that 36% of adults in Wales didn’t know if men can get secondary (metastatic) breast cancer or not.

At the heart of Truth Be Told is a striking collection of photographic portraits, including Mandy, by renowned Irish photographer Jennifer Willis, which give a candid look at the lived experience of those with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and capture the strength, vulnerability, and authenticity of those individuals living with the disease in an unfiltered way.

The campaign is part of the charity’s broader vision to support people with secondary (metastatic) breast cancer live longer and better lives. It provides advice about treatment options and clinical trials, connects patients through peer-to-peer and online support groups, wellbeing activities, and retreats and funds research, supporting more than 2,000 patients a year.

For more information about the Truth Be Told campaign or to get involved, visit the Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025 page.

Charity

£2,250 boost for Pembrokeshire dementia services

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MILFORD HAVEN runner has raised more than two thousand pounds for dementia services in Pembrokeshire after completing this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon.

Sam Dolling crossed the finish line on Saturday, October 5, in a time of 1:55:42, smashing his own expectations both on the course and in fundraising. His final total of £2,250 exceeded what he had hoped to achieve.

Sam joked that he had “hounded friends and family via social media” in the run-up to the race – but said the biggest donations came from an unexpected source: friends who still owed him money from a golf trip.

He described the challenge as “rewarding” and said it even helped him stick to a training plan “for the first time ever”.

‘Incredible amount’ raised

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “A big thank you to Sam for choosing to run the Cardiff Half Marathon for Hywel Dda Health Charities and raising money for dementia services in Pembrokeshire, a service that is close to your heart. You raised an incredible amount! Thank you so much for your support and thanks to everyone who sponsored you.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda, and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support NHS patients and staff locally, visit their website.

Charity

Milford Haven student aims high with Kilimanjaro climb for Amnesty International

Published

6 days ago

November 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Oxford University student Lily Walters to tackle Africa’s tallest mountain in 2026 charity challenge

A MILFORD HAVEN student, formerly a pupil at Haverfordwest High, is preparing for the adventure of a lifetime as she takes on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Amnesty International UK.

Lily Walters has signed up for the UK Kilimanjaro 2026 Student Challenge, which will take place from August 25 to September 3, 2026. She is aiming to raise £4,970 for the human rights charity, which campaigns for justice, equality and freedom across the world.

Lily said: “This challenge isn’t just about pushing myself outside my comfort zone — it’s about making a difference too. Every donation, big or small, will help me reach my target and support Amnesty International UK’s important work.”

So far, Lily has raised £145 from seven supporters, with donations continuing to come in through her JustGiving page. Messages of encouragement have included: “Go for it, girl!”, “Fantastic news, Lily — wishing you all the very best,” and “We are so proud of you!”

The nine-day trek will see students from across the UK journey to Africa to climb the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, reaching an altitude of almost 6,000 metres (19,000 feet). The challenge tests both physical endurance and mental strength, and participants are expected to train for months before departure.

Funds raised will go directly to Amnesty International UK (RCN 1051681), whose campaigns focus on issues such as refugees, children’s rights, women’s rights, and conflict-affected communities.

Those wishing to support Lily’s fundraising can visit her JustGiving page at:
👉 justgiving.com/fundraising/uk-kilimanjaro-25th-august-2026-student-choseachallenge-690a50b1eff9e

Determined student: Milford Haven’s Lily Walters, who studies at Oxford University, will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in 2026 to raise funds for Amnesty International (Pic: JustGiving).

Charity

Fly-in raises funds for lifesaving air services

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING seventy-five aircraft flew into Haverfordwest Airport for a special fundraising weekend in August, raising hundreds of pounds for two lifesaving Welsh charities.

Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes were the beneficiaries of the event, which drew pilots and enthusiasts from across the UK and Ireland.

Airport Director Charlotte Rees said: “It’s been a very special year for us. We took over the airport lease from Pembrokeshire County Council in April, and we wanted to mark the occasion with an event that would raise awareness and funds for two causes that mean a lot to our family and community.

“This was the first time we’d organised anything like this, and we were absolutely blown away by the turnout. We witnessed 155 aircraft movements over two days, with 100% of the landing fees going to Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes. It was a pleasure to meet so many pilots, aviation enthusiasts and supporters — both familiar faces and new connections.”

Family legacy takes flight

The Rees family has been connected to Haverfordwest Airport for three generations. Charlotte’s grandparents founded a flying school there in 1976, and in April this year the family secured the lease from the county council.

The 28-year-old said: “It was a very special moment for us. I really want to spread the word about what we do — I’m amazed that even some people living locally don’t realise we’re here.”

The airport is also home to Fly Wales, which provides air charter flights across the UK and Europe, including repatriation and medical transport services in partnership with the NHS.

Charlotte added: “We transport patients between hospitals, repatriate people from abroad, and even assist with organ transfers and neonatal movements for specialist care.”

Helping the helpers

Blood Bikes Wales, based at the airport, provides 24/7 medical transport for the NHS, delivering urgent supplies, blood, and equipment to hospitals across Wales.

Haverfordwest Airport is also a vital fuel supplier for Wales Air Ambulance, which delivers critical care to patients across the nation. The charity relies on public donations to raise £13 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

The service is delivered in partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), whose NHS consultants and critical care practitioners can perform anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions, and carry out minor operations at the scene of an incident.

Looking to the future

Charlotte said: “It’s in my nature to want to help people, whether through my work at Haverfordwest Airport or by supporting charities that save lives.

“I was originally training to be a pharmacist, but nine years ago my uncle — who ran the air charter with our Chief Pilot, Gwyndaf — sadly suffered a fatal heart attack. My dad, who runs our dairy farm next to the airport, stepped in to help, and I decided to take a year out to learn the ropes. I got my pilot’s licence, passed my commercial exams, and never looked back.”

Now expecting her first child in January, Charlotte says the family is “very excited” — and already planning next year’s event.

“It’s only been a few weeks since our open day, but we’re already talking about what we can do in aid of Wales Air Ambulance in 2026. We’d love to raise even more to help save lives.”

The open day and BBQ at Propellers Café raised over £693, divided equally between Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes.

Mike May, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: “We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone at Haverfordwest Airport for their hard work during the Fly-In weekend. Over 75 aircraft travelled from across England, Scotland and Ireland — a fantastic way to bring the aviation community together and raise vital funds. Every pound makes a huge difference and helps save lives.”

Photo caption:

Haverfordwest Airport Director Charlotte Rees with Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire (Pic: Supplied).