Charity

NatWest Cymru extends Wales Air Ambulance partnership after raising vital funds

Published

6 months ago

December 16, 2025

NATWEST CYMRU has announced it will extend its charity partnership with Wales Air Ambulance into 2026 after staff fundraising efforts raised more than £31,000 for the lifesaving service.

The total of £31,650 is enough to fund the cost of nine emergency missions.

Staff across Wales were asked to vote for their chosen charity last year, with Wales Air Ambulance receiving almost 60% of the final vote.

Jessica Shipman, Chair of the NatWest Cymru Regional Board, said the partnership had been a significant achievement for staff and customers alike.

***Jessica Shipman: Chair for NatWest Cymru***

“We’ve had such a fantastic year working in partnership with Wales Air Ambulance, learning about what it does and understanding why it is so important,” she said.

“This is the first time our franchise in Wales has been able to choose its own charity, and we are incredibly proud to be able to hand over a cheque for £31,650.

“Every part of Wales can benefit from the services Wales Air Ambulance provides.”

Ms Shipman stressed that the money was raised entirely through staff-led fundraising.

“People might see that amount and think this is a big bank with big purse strings, but I can honestly say every single penny was raised through staff volunteering,” she said.

“There were bucket collections, fundraising events, and we could not have done it without the support of our family, friends and wonderful customers.”

She added that the decision to extend the partnership reflected shared values.

“At NatWest we are about supporting communities, helping people thrive and sometimes even changing lives through the work that we do,” she said.

“There are natural synergies between us and Wales Air Ambulance, which is why we have decided to continue supporting this incredible service as it prepares to mark its 25th anniversary.”

Over the past twelve months, NatWest Cymru staff have taken part in a wide range of fundraising activities, including abseiling down a church in Rhyl and skydiving in Swansea.

Kirstin Jenkins, Local Director for North and West Wales branch banking and Deputy Chair of the Regional Board, said the enthusiasm shown by staff had been remarkable.

“It’s been great fun,” she said. “Everyone has really rallied together and come up with outstanding ideas to help us raise awareness and as much money as possible.”

She highlighted events such as a coffee and cake fundraiser in Brecon during the Jazz Festival, and Wales Air Ambulance’s involvement at the start and finish of the Team GB Baton Relay.

“One of the most surprising things for many of us was learning that Wales Air Ambulance relies entirely on fundraising and public support,” Ms Jenkins said.

“That was a huge motivation. People understand that this service could impact their life tomorrow if they ever needed it.”

Gemma Yorke, Director of Business Banking for NatWest, said coordinating around five hundred staff across Wales had been a major achievement.

“We are split across many divisions, but we have all worked together to support the charity staff chose,” she said.

“A big part of this partnership has also been raising awareness. People see the helicopter in the sky, but don’t always stop to think about what is happening on the ground.”

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity delivers consultant-led, hospital-standard emergency care directly to patients and, where needed, transfers them to the most appropriate hospital.

The charity relies on public donations to raise around £13 million each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road, with NHS consultants and critical care practitioners supplied through the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service.

Abi Pearce, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Wales Air Ambulance, said the support from NatWest Cymru had been invaluable.

“We are profoundly grateful for the outstanding £31,650 raised, which is the equivalent cost of nine lifesaving missions,” she said.

“It has been an incredible year of collaboration, travelling across Wales to keep up with the fantastic fundraising efforts.

“We are delighted the partnership will continue into 2026 as we celebrate our 25th anniversary.”

Charity

Welsh gold prize helps Cancer Research Wales mark 60 years

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A DIAMOND-set Welsh gold necklace donated by Clogau will headline a special fundraising raffle marking 60 years of Cancer Research Wales.

The award-winning jewellery brand has gifted the necklace as the grand prize in the charity’s inaugural 60th Anniversary Diamond Raffle, which will raise funds for research, diagnosis and treatment projects across Wales.

The prize was unveiled at Clogau’s Cardiff store by Cancer Research Wales ambassador and Miss United Kingdom Millie-Mae Adams, who received it on behalf of the charity.

Clogau, founded in North Wales, is internationally known for jewellery containing rare Welsh gold. Its heritage is closely linked to the Royal Family, with Welsh gold from the Clogau St David’s mine used in royal wedding rings for more than a century.

Ben Roberts, Managing Director of Clogau, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Cancer Research Wales as it celebrates this remarkable 60-year milestone.

“As a Welsh business with deep roots in our communities, we recognise the impact cancer has on families across the country and the importance of investing in research that can save and improve lives.

“We hope this beautiful Welsh gold necklace will help generate significant support for the raffle and encourage people to get behind the charity’s vital work.”

Millie-Mae, a proud Welsh speaker and doctor in training, is also the founder of Exeter Street Doctors, a charity which equips young people with lifesaving first aid skills.

She said: “As a proud ambassador of the charity, it is my privilege to play my part in Cancer Research Wales’s 60th anniversary and be here today to unveil the first prize in the 60 Anniversary Diamond Raffle – a stunning, diamond-set gold necklace, generously donated by Clogau.

“The gift of life and time with our loved ones is the most precious thing in the world, so please show your support for Cancer Research Wales’s life-saving and life-prolonging work today by entering the raffle.

“You could win this stunning Clogau gold necklace while helping to fund vital cancer research here in Wales.”

Millie-Mae also advocates for health education through her Medic Millie Mondays social media series and delivered the first Welsh-language Street Doctors session. Her work with Cancer Research Wales is shaped in part by her own family’s experience of cancer.

Lisa Buckley, Head of Income Generation at Cancer Research Wales, said: “I’m very grateful to Clogau and Millie-Mae Adams for supporting us to launch our 60 Anniversary Diamond Raffle – our first ever raffle, as we celebrate 60 years as the independent Welsh cancer research charity and 60 years of innovation in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“Since 1966, we have invested £41.68 million to push the boundaries of cancer research discoveries here in Wales and we couldn’t have done that without the kindness of the Welsh public and our fantastic business community.

“Thank you for your support over the years and together we will unite Wales against cancer.”

Cancer Research Wales says the raffle will help support projects aimed at improving cancer outcomes for people across the country.

To enter the raffle, visit www.cancerresearch.wales.

Prize unveiled:

Miss United Kingdom Millie-Mae Adams received the necklace on behalf of Cancer Research Wales at Clogau’s Cardiff store (Pic: Paul Fears).

Charity

Voices at the Castle hailed a huge success for Paul Sartori Foundation

Published

12 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEMORABLE evening of music, warmth and community spirit filled Pembroke Castle as Voices at the Castle was hailed a huge success.

The event, held on Saturday (Jun 13), brought together local performers, an international star and a strong audience in one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic settings, all in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the historic castle, the evening offered an uplifting celebration of live music and charity. Organisers said the relaxed atmosphere, sunny setting and quality of performances helped make it a night to remember.

The event opened with Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, who entertained the audience with an upbeat set including their charity single Love the Bones of You.

They were followed by Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir, who delivered a rousing selection of classic male voice choir favourites, with many in the audience joining in.

The Paul Sartori Community Choir also impressed in one of its first outdoor performances, with a confident and spirited set which included a standout rendition of an ELO classic.

Bella Voce added to the occasion with a varied programme of melodic songs, their harmonies carrying beautifully around the castle walls.

Headline act Russell Watson brought the evening to a powerful close, captivating the crowd with his humour, warmth and remarkable voice.

His set included a mixture of classical and contemporary songs, with the audience joining him for a singalong of Volare before dancing along as the evening built to its finale.

He ended the night with a moving dedication to Paul Sartori staff, performing Someone to Remember Me.

Organisers also praised compere Rod Haynes, whose warmth, humour and natural stage presence helped the event run smoothly and created a welcoming atmosphere for all.

The charity said it remained extremely disappointed that Rock the Ramparts, due to take place on the Friday evening, could not go ahead.

High winds meant it was not possible to safely install the stage roof and associated sound equipment, forcing the cancellation of the event on health and safety grounds.

The charity thanked the bands The Candy Skulls, The Cleddau Kings, Milly and The Bandits, and Saltwater for their understanding, generosity and the time they had put into rehearsing and preparing.

Thanks were also given to the staging and lighting teams, who worked throughout the day in an effort to make the event happen despite the challenging conditions.

Special thanks were extended to staff at Pembroke Castle for their continued support and for providing the setting, as well as Wayne and the team at EPS, Magnum Sound, Bluesky Marquees, Merts Medical, Elite Security, Joshua Bennet and David Halsted for their contributions to food and drink provision.

The charity also thanked Ian Richards for photographing the event on behalf of Paul Sartori.

A spokesperson said Voices at the Castle stood as a testament to what could be achieved through collaboration, dedication and a shared love of live music, adding that organisers hoped the night would live long in the memory of those who attended.

The Paul Sartori Foundation, which operates as Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, provides end-of-life care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses across Pembrokeshire.

The charity says it is keen to dispel the belief that it is only a cancer charity, with almost a third of those it supports having a non-cancer diagnosis.

It operates an open referral system, with referrals coming from patients, family members, friends, district nurses, palliative care specialists and hospital staff.

The foundation was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

Photo caption: Jon Williams from Pembroke Castle with Laura Hugman, CEO of the Paul Sartori Foundation, team members and headline act Russell Watson.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

2 days ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.