Charity

Crisis fund plugs gap for Welsh families as support workers warn of ‘severe hardship’

Published

3 months ago

December 10, 2025

Working families among those turning to charity for emergency help

ALMOST four hundred families across Wales — more than 1,300 parents, children and young people — turned to Action for Children for crisis support over a 16-month period to 1 October, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to intensify in the run-up to Christmas.

New data from the charity shows that three in ten applications (31%) for emergency grants came from households where at least one parent is in work, while one in seven families (15%) seeking help were not claiming any means-tested benefits. Frontline support workers say that beyond these one-off grants many families “have nowhere else to turn”.

Across the UK, Action for Children is currently receiving around 300 applications a month for financial help. Three-quarters of frontline staff surveyed said the families they support are facing greater financial pressure than this time last year.

Action for Children, which runs hundreds of services across the UK, analysed data from its Family Fund — delivered in partnership with Nationwide — as part of its annual Secret Santa campaign. The fund provides crisis grants for essentials such as food, appliances, clothing and basic household items.

Between June 2024 and September 2025, nearly £85,000 was distributed to families in Wales alone.

What Welsh families needed most

The charity reports that four essential categories accounted for three-quarters of all crisis spending:

Food (33%)
Household appliances (16%)
Home furnishings and repairs (15%)
Clothing (12%)

Other key findings include:

47% of applications came from families receiving Universal Credit.
61% were from families with one or two children.
49% were from single-parent households.

Support workers described families unable to replace broken beds, parents going without showers to save electricity, and minimum-wage workers unable to afford carpets or basic furniture despite working full-time hours.

One worker said: “A 9-year-old was sleeping in a toddler bed because the family simply couldn’t afford a replacement. They were already falling behind on bills.”

Another reported helping a young single mother: “She had no carpets, barely any furniture, and a sofa she’d been given that was full of fleas. Her wages covered her bills but nothing more. She didn’t qualify for additional support.”

Mental health impact

The charity’s data shows the emotional toll is severe.

74% of Welsh applications recorded anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns linked to financial hardship.
29% noted that children’s mental health was directly affected by money worries at home.

One support worker said children were avoiding socialising: “They don’t ask to go out because they don’t want parents to feel bad when they can’t give them pocket money.”

Charity calls for urgent action

Laurie Ryall, Action for Children’s National Director in Wales, said: “Our Family Fund data lays bare the devastating impact financial hardship is having on vulnerable families — and that doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas. Staff are helping families every day who try their hardest yet still can’t afford to heat their homes or put food on the table. It is heartbreaking to see the toll on parents and children alike.”

She welcomed the UK Government’s child poverty strategy and the decision to scrap the two-child limit, which the charity has long campaigned for, but warned the change will not take effect until April 2026 and will not help all families currently struggling.

“The Welsh Government is also taking steps on child poverty, but families need help now. That’s why we’re asking the public to get behind our Secret Santa campaign so we can continue supporting the children who need us most.”

Case study

Sarah, a single mother from South Wales living with chronic fibromyalgia, relies on Universal Credit and frequently uses food banks. She said Christmas is “an extremely stressful time”.

Her nine-year-old daughter attends Action for Children’s Emoji Project, which helps children understand and express difficult emotions. Last Christmas, the charity provided Sarah with a £250 food voucher and a new bed and mattress for her daughter.

Sarah said the support was transformative: “Every month is a struggle. We were on a pay-as-you-go electricity metre and I often let my daughter shower while I went without. My daughter’s old bed had broken and she was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. I sleep on the sofa, so I couldn’t help her. The shame and worry were enormous.”

“The food voucher took such a weight off my mind. It freed up money for heating. But Christmas still brings panic because I want her to have a magical day without knowing how anxious I am.”

Charity

Car dealership smash cycling spin challenge target

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

STAFF at OC Davies used pedal power to cycle an incredible 453 miles as part of a fundraising event marking two major anniversaries.

The Cardigan-based dealership is celebrating 40 years as a Renault dealer in 2026, while the Wales Air Ambulance marked its 25th anniversary on St David’s Day (Mar 1).

To celebrate the milestones – and the launch of the new vehicle registration plate – the dealership held a community open day at its Cardigan site, raising £2,102 for the lifesaving charity.

As part of the event, staff and supporters took on a spin bike challenge to cycle the equivalent of 104 miles – the distance between OC Davies’ three dealerships in Cardigan, Neyland and Carmarthen.

However, the participants far exceeded expectations.

During the 12-hour challenge, which ran from 8:00am to 8:00pm, a total of 37 people took part and collectively cycled an impressive 453 miles.

Over the years, OC Davies has now raised more than £6,600 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.

Nicola Lewis from OC Davies said: “We are incredibly proud to have raised £2,102. This fantastic amount exceeded all our expectations and shows just how supportive our community has been.

“The success of the event has inspired us to keep the momentum going and continue raising money for Wales Air Ambulance throughout the rest of the year.

“We currently have an Easter egg lucky dip running in the dealership and we’re also planning to raise further funds later in the summer at some outdoor events we’ll be taking part in.”

More than 200 visitors attended the open day and around 900 tickets were sold for a grand raffle.

Prizes were donated by local businesses including The Cliff Hotel & Spa, Tom Samways Butchers, U Melt Me, Tonnau, Theatr Mwldan, Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, and The Queen’s Hall.

Additional prizes were also donated by the Scarlets and Swansea City FC.

Nicola added: “The open day was wonderfully supported by local businesses and members of the community, which helped make the event so special.

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity and support from businesses in Cardigan and beyond who kindly donated prizes for our grand raffle.”

The spin bikes used during the challenge were loaned by Neil Fulstow Fitness Coaching, with additional support from Clive Evans and Clive Davies.

The charity’s mascot Biggles also made an appearance during the day – even taking a turn on the DJ decks.

Emily Bell, Wales Air Ambulance’s Regional Fundraising Co-ordinator, said: “A huge congratulations to the staff at OC Davies, who smashed their original target while raising an incredible amount for our charity.

“It was a lovely open day which I was delighted to attend. OC Davies found a wonderful way to mark both anniversaries.

“Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £13 million every year to keep our helicopters flying and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Fundraisers like this help ensure we can continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service delivering hospital-standard treatment at the scene of an incident.

Through its partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), NHS consultants and critical care practitioners can provide advanced treatment including anaesthesia, blood transfusions and minor surgical procedures before transporting patients to the most appropriate hospital.

As a pan-Wales service, its crews travel across the country to deliver lifesaving emergency care wherever it is needed.

For more information visit www.ocdavies.com.

Charity

Expert warns cat owners not to buy lilies this Mother’s Day

Published

2 days ago

March 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PET owners are being warned to avoid buying lilies this Mother’s Day after experts said the popular flowers can be fatal to cats.

The warning has been issued by the RSPCA ahead of Mothering Sunday (March 15), with the charity urging people to choose pet-friendly flowers instead.

RSPCA animal welfare expert Lauren Bennett said: “Flowers are a lovely gift for Mother’s Day, and like many people I enjoy receiving them whatever the occasion. But sadly some flowers and plants can be toxic to our pets, so it’s important to avoid these where animals are present.

“Lilies are a particular concern because they are so popular at this time of year, yet many people do not realise just how dangerous they are to cats. Even small amounts of petals can be deadly, and the leaves, pollen and even the water from the vase can pose a serious risk.

“It is vital that people understand lilies can be lethal to cats. Even cutting the stamens out once they have opened is not enough. A small amount of pollen can transfer to a cat’s fur and when they groom themselves, they can quickly become seriously ill.”

The charity says cat owners can help prevent accidental poisoning by choosing alternative flowers when buying bouquets this weekend.

Lauren added: “Cats can suffer terribly after lily poisoning and it is heartbreaking for owners to witness. Thankfully it is easy to avoid. We all want to treat mums this Mother’s Day, but if they are also cat mums, please do not buy them lilies.”

The RSPCA also warned that other plants including daffodils, tulips, holly and hyacinths can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Even flowers considered non-toxic can still cause stomach upset if eaten, so the charity advises keeping all plants and bouquets well out of reach of pets.

The charity added that chocolate poisoning remains the most commonly reported type of animal poisoning, and people are being urged to keep Mother’s Day treats away from curious pets.

Lauren said: “If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate, contact your vet immediately for advice. Your vet will want to know how much chocolate your pet has eaten and what type it was. If possible, keep the packaging and have your pet’s weight to hand.”

Signs of possible poisoning in pets can include depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, twitching or seizures.

The RSPCA is encouraging pet owners to share the advice to help keep animals safe during the Mother’s Day celebrations.

For more information about toxic substances affecting pets, visit the Veterinary Poisons Information Service website.

Charity

Many Tears Animal Rescue visited by inspectors as police attend in support role

Published

4 days ago

March 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Licensing authorities yet to explain purpose of visit at one of the UK’s largest dog rescues

INSPECTORS have visited the premises of one of the UK’s largest dog rescue organisations, with police attending in a supporting capacity during the operation.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were present at Many Tears Animal Rescue in Carmarthenshire on Tuesday (Mar 10) but stressed that their role was limited to preventing any breach of the peace.

The force said the visit took place without any need for police intervention, and directed enquiries about the purpose of the visit to Animal Licensing Wales, which oversees animal establishment licensing across Wales.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Herald: “Officers attended the premises in a supporting capacity only, to prevent any breach of the peace. The visit took place without any need of police involvement or intervention.”

The police statement indicates that the visit itself was led by another agency rather than being a police investigation.

The RSPCA Cymru has also confirmed it was not involved in the visit.

An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: “The RSPCA did not attend this premises on March 10 so did not participate in any visit that took place.”

Many Tears Animal Rescue, based near Llanelli, is one of the largest dog rescue charities operating in the UK, rehoming thousands of animals each year and receiving dogs from a range of sources including commercial breeding establishments and other rescues.

Sources have told The Herald that investigators attended the site earlier this week, though the purpose and scope of the visit has not yet been confirmed.

The Herald has contacted Animal Licensing Wales, which administers animal establishment licensing under Welsh Government regulations, to clarify whether the visit formed part of a routine inspection, a complaint-led investigation, or an enforcement action.

At the time of publication, the organisation had not yet responded.

The Herald has also approached Many Tears Animal Rescue for comment.

Animal Licensing Wales operates under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021, which require organisations involved in activities such as animal boarding, breeding, and rehoming to meet strict standards relating to welfare, veterinary care, record-keeping, and the management of animals on site.

Any inspection or enforcement action carried out under the regulations can result in improvement notices, licence conditions being altered, or in serious cases the suspension or revocation of a licence.

It remains unclear whether the visit to the Carmarthenshire rescue was part of a routine regulatory inspection or a response to specific concerns.

The Herald will update this story when further information becomes available.