Charity

South Hook donation helps Paul Sartori equip growing volunteer team

Published

6 months ago

December 3, 2025

Community funds provide 40 fleeces and 30 polo shirts for charity’s events crew

PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home has received a £1,000 donation from the South Hook LNG Community Fund, managed by PAVS, enabling the charity to purchase 40 branded fleeces for its expanding team of event volunteers. It follows a recent contribution from the Port of Milford Haven Community Fund, which funded 30 branded polo shirts.

Volunteers are at the heart of Paul Sartori’s work, supporting community fundraising events across Pembrokeshire throughout the year – including the New Year’s Day Dip, Kilgetty Bike It, the Pembrokeshire Car Runs, the Pembrokeshire County Show and the annual That’ll Be The Day concert at Folly Farm.

The new fleeces will ensure volunteers are easily identifiable, warm and professionally presented while representing the charity. The purchase also meets a clear operational need, with the charity previously unable to supply enough uniform for its growing team.

“We are delighted to equip our volunteers with additional uniform,” said Jo Lutwyche, Event and Fundraising Officer at Paul Sartori. “Many have expressed a willingness to purchase their own polo shirts and fleeces, which shows their enthusiasm and commitment – but Paul Sartori believes volunteers should be provided with a uniform as recognition of their vital contribution.”

Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer, added: “We are hugely grateful to the South Hook LNG Community Fund for their ongoing support. Our event volunteers are the heart of our fundraising efforts, and these fleeces will help keep them comfortable, safe and professional, whatever the weather. This is a wonderful way to recognise their dedication to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.”

The project aligns closely with South Hook LNG’s core funding themes: improving safety by ensuring volunteers are clearly identifiable; supporting environmental responsibility with reusable, shareable uniforms; promoting education through a professional public-facing appearance; and enhancing wellbeing by boosting team spirit and volunteer confidence.

South Hook LNG has been a regular supporter of the charity, and this latest donation continues a valued partnership that helps Paul Sartori deliver essential end-of-life care services across Pembrokeshire.

The charity offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, both within its events team and across its network of county-wide charity shops. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Eleanor Evans, Volunteering Officer, via Paul Sartori’s head office.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides nursing care, equipment loans, complementary therapies and bereavement support to people in the last stages of life, helping ensure they can remain at home with dignity and comfort. For more information, visit www.paulsartori.org or call 01437 763223.

Charity

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

Published

10 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

2 days 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.