Charity

Grandmother honoured after near-death fall on Wales Coast Path

Published

7 months ago

November 27, 2025

Charity walker honoured after revealing she was nearly killed when she plunged into a water-filled ditch and fought through underwater barbed wire

A WALES-BORN grandmother who walked 730 miles of the Wales Coast Path says she “almost died” after becoming trapped in a Carmarthenshire ditch during her four-month charity trek.

Janet Baldock, sixty-eight, completed the challenge between April and August in aid of the national Support Dogs charity, finishing her final mile on her birthday. She missed out Anglesey but covered every other stretch of the coast, including the full Pembrokeshire section.

Her efforts were recognised this week at Support Dogs’ annual Graduation and Awards ceremony in Sheffield, where she was named the charity’s Fundraiser of the Year.

Janet, who was born in Wales and now lives in Shalbourne, Wiltshire, said she had not expected the award. “It was a complete and utter surprise to be awarded,” she said.

Near-death fall in Carmarthenshire

Janet described how the most dangerous moment of her walk happened shortly after leaving Pembrokeshire, when the route through Carmarthenshire became boggy and treacherous.

“I nearly died on the walk,” she said. “I was fine around Pembrokeshire but when I got to Carmarthenshire, it was all bogs, estuaries and marsh.

“I was trying to get off the marsh when one particular ditch was a little too big for my stride. I saw a little bit of wood in the water I thought I could stand on. I stood on the wood and I went ‘woosh’ down up to my neck in filthy stinking water and nearly drowned because I couldn’t get out.”

Janet said she could not feel the bottom of the ditch and struggled to escape because underwater barbed wire was pulling her down.

Stranded for around an hour, she debated calling a rescue helicopter before finally finding the strength to haul herself out, suffering cuts as she fought through the submerged wire. She then limped two miles to a nearby farmhouse to contact her husband.

But quitting was never an option. “I thought ‘I’m going to get to the end, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees’. It wasn’t my time yet.”

Inspired by assistance dogs

Janet raised £1,760 for Support Dogs, which provides life-changing assistance dogs for people with autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities. She said she was inspired after seeing a feature about autism assistance dogs on ITV’s This Morning.

Accepting her award, she told the audience: “What’s been amazing to me today is hearing everybody’s stories about how their lives have been transformed by having these amazing dogs in their lives. That’s what touched my heart… I just knew this was the charity I was going to support.

“I’m really glad I’m here today. Well done everybody and well done to all the dogs. I tip my hat to all the volunteers and all the people who have trained these dogs, because you do an amazing job.”

Support Dogs relies entirely on voluntary donations. More information can be found at supportdogs.org.uk or by calling 0114 261 7800.

Charity

Busy Saturday for VC Gallery as veterans, families and pupils rally behind charity

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community spirit shines across Haverfordwest with museum displays, breakfasts, workshops and school sleep-out

THE VC GALLERY enjoyed one of its busiest Saturdays of the year as staff, volunteers, veterans and supporters spread across Haverfordwest for a packed day of community events.

From military artefacts at Pembrokeshire College to a riverside art exhibition, a veterans’ breakfast and a charity sleep-out involving local pupils, the veteran-led charity was at the centre of activity across the county town.

At Pembrokeshire College, the charity’s popular “Speak to a Veteran” initiative proved a success, with the VC mobile museum drawing attention from students and visitors alike. A range of military artefacts on display sparked conversations and helped veterans share stories and experiences with members of the public.

Meanwhile, the Pembrokeshire Veterans Breakfast at Waldo Lounge saw the VC minibus deployed to help bring people together, with staff at the restaurant praised for making attendees feel welcome.

The charity thanked Myles for driving and Gareth for helping organise the event.

On the riverside in Haverfordwest, the VC Gallery showcased artwork at its new gallery space, where RAF veteran Mark hosted members of the public throughout the day.

Back at Waldo Lounge, Charles, Donna, Phil, Rose, Lucy, Nia and the wider VC team kept busy with duck sales and jewellery workshops as families gathered for the afternoon activities. Pembrokeshire’s Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Hayley, was also among those lending support.

As day turned to night, pupils from Haverfordwest High VC School took part in a sponsored sleep-out to raise money for the charity, hearing first-hand about homelessness from veteran Pete.

The event saw pupils spending the night outdoors alongside former military personnel to better understand the realities faced by some ex-service men and women.

The day also included the Waldo duck race on the river, helping round off what the charity described as “an amazing community” effort.

Photo caption: Busy day: VC Gallery teams, veterans and supporters took part in events across Haverfordwest on Saturday, including museum displays, breakfasts, workshops and a charity sleep-out (Pic: VC Gallery).

Charity

Family’s £570 donation in memory of devoted RNLI supporter

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of the late Gerald Hartry, of Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, have donated £570 to the RNLI in his memory.

Gerald was a long-standing supporter of the RNLI and had a particular affection for Tenby Lifeboat Station, which he visited many times over the past 40 years while staying at the family’s caravan near Narberth.

Relatives recently visited the station to present the cheque to the crew.

Tenby Lifeboats RNLI said it was a pleasure to welcome the family and thanked them for their generous donation.

Pictured, from left, are members of Gerald’s family with Tenby Lifeboat Operations Manager Carl Evans.

Charity

Henry Tufnell visits St Davids RNLI lifeboat station

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MP pledges to raise funding and regulation concerns after meeting volunteer crew at St Justinian

HENRY TUFNELL MP has visited St Davids RNLI lifeboat station to hear first-hand about the work of its volunteer crew.

The Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP met crew members at St Justinian, where he was briefed on some of the rescue missions carried out by the station off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Mr Tufnell said the visit had highlighted both the dedication of the lifeboat crew and the pressures facing the service.

He said: “It was a privilege to visit the RNLI St Davids Lifeboat at St Justinian and hear first-hand about some of the remarkable rescue missions the crew have undertaken.

“They do extraordinary work keeping our community safe.”

Mr Tufnell added that crew members had also raised concerns about ongoing challenges, including funding and regulation.

He said: “It was also important to hear about the ongoing challenges they face, particularly regarding funding and regulation.

“As your MP, I will continue to champion and protect the interests of our community heroes in Westminster.”

The RNLI station at St Davids is one of Pembrokeshire’s key coastal rescue bases, serving a busy and often challenging stretch of coastline popular with walkers, kayakers, boat users and visitors.

The charity relies on volunteer crews and public support to continue its lifesaving work.