Charity

NatWest Cymru extends Wales Air Ambulance partnership after raising vital funds

Published

4 weeks 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

Charity medium night to raise funds for Cancer Research Wales in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

International spiritualist medium to appear at rugby club event

A CHARITY evening with an international spiritualist medium is set to take place in Milford Haven later this month, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research Wales.

The event will be held on Friday (Jan 16) at Milford Haven Rugby Club, and will feature a live demonstration by Lee Mills, who is described by organisers as an internationally recognised spiritualist medium.

Organised in support of Cancer Research Wales, the evening aims to raise funds for cancer research carried out in Wales. Organisers have confirmed that all proceeds raised on the night will be donated to the charity.

Doors open at 6:30pm, with the event starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at £12, and the evening is a ticket-only event.

Those wishing to attend are advised to book in advance. Tickets can be available by contacting Sara on 07817 677632.

Organisers said the event offers local residents the chance to enjoy an evening of entertainment while also supporting a Welsh charity dedicated to funding life-saving cancer research.

Charity

Cardigan customers donate more than 350 toys to local charity

Published

4 days ago

January 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

KIND-HEARTED shoppers at Tesco Cardigan Superstore have donated more than 350 toys to help local children enjoy Christmas.

Customers responded to the store’s Christmas Toy Donation campaign by leaving 360 brand-new toys at an in-store collection point in the weeks leading up to the festive period. The gifts were donated to Home-Start Ceredigion, which distributed them to families across the area so children had presents to open on Christmas Day.

The campaign was aimed at supporting families who may otherwise struggle to provide gifts during what can be a difficult time of year.

Store manager Ceri Gough said the response from the community had been “fantastic”, adding that the store takes pride in supporting local causes through Tesco’s Stronger Starts and Community Food Connection programmes.

“This year’s toy donation campaign gave customers a great opportunity to support local families and ensure children in our community had something to open on Christmas Day,” she said. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who donated and helped bring some festive joy to local families.”

She added that Tesco Cardigan had worked with Home-Start previously and hoped the partnership would continue to grow.

Claire De Silva, Tesco’s Head of Communities, also thanked shoppers for their generosity.

“Our stores support children and communities throughout the year, and local people never fail to get behind these efforts,” she said. “Once again, the people of Cardigan have shown the magic of Christmas is alive and well, helping to make a lot of children very happy.”

The Toy Donation campaign ran in Tesco stores across the UK in November and December, with almost 75,000 gifts donated nationally by customers.

Charity

Seal pup who swam 120km in four days now recovering at RSPCA wildlife centre

Published

6 days ago

January 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A grey seal pup found underweight and dehydrated in St Brides Bay has been taken into specialist care after making an extraordinary journey from Cornwall.

A GREY seal pup who travelled an estimated 120 kilometres in just four days is now recovering at an RSPCA wildlife centre after being found dehydrated and underweight on the Pembrokeshire coast.

The fully weaned pup was discovered on rocks at St Brides Bay on Wednesday (Dec 11) after being spotted looking thin and unwell. Wildlife officers later confirmed he had made the journey from Port Gaverne in north Cornwall.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West said she was immediately concerned when she arrived on scene.

“The pup was dehydrated and in a thin body condition, with obvious rolls of skin that should have been filled with fat and blubber,” she said.

“I also noticed marks on his back similar to the spray marks we use after assessing seals, so that we know we have seen them before if they come into care again.”

However, the colour of the markings did not match those normally used in west Wales, prompting Ellie to contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who confirmed they had previously assessed the same seal.

Ellie said: “BDMLR confirmed the pup had been checked by volunteers four days earlier on Saturday (Dec 7) at Port Gaverne. At that time he was borderline for intervention and was released back into the wild.

“With wildlife rehabilitation spaces at a real premium during seal season, he was given another chance without intervention.”

In the days that followed, the young seal swam almost in a straight line across the Bristol Channel, eventually reaching the Pembrokeshire coastline.

“This is a really long swim for a young pup,” Ellie said. “By the time he arrived here he had lost more weight, was dehydrated, passing very dark loose faeces, and had ulcers in his mouth.”

Ellie removed the seal from the beach and administered immediate care, including electrolyte fluids and fish, before transporting him to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset.

At the centre, the seal was named Muse, in keeping with this year’s music-themed naming convention. He is being cared for alongside other rescued seals including Elvis, found at Porthcawl, and Dido, rescued from Mwnt near Cardigan. BDMLR was also involved in the rescues of Elvis and Dido.

“I’m pleased to say Muse is doing really well,” Ellie said. “He is feeding well and gaining the weight he needs. I last saw him on December 27 and it was lovely to see how much he had improved.

“Our dedicated wildlife assistants, veterinary teams and volunteers work incredibly hard to get animals fully fit and ready for release back into the wild, where they belong.”

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said Muse arrived underweight but has responded well to treatment.

“Muse came in with a suspected respiratory infection and completed a course of antibiotics,” he said. “Thanks to the work of Ellie’s team, he has self-fed the entire time he’s been with us.

“He weighed 16kg on admission and by Christmas Eve had reached 19kg. He is now in one of our larger indoor pens and will soon be paired with another seal.”

Seal pups can remain in care at West Hatch for several months. During seal season, which typically runs from September to March, the centre spends an average of £1,400 per week per seal on fish and veterinary care.

The RSPCA works in partnership with organisations including BDMLR to respond to seal welfare concerns and is reminding members of the public to keep their distance if they spot a seal on the beach.

“Seals are wild animals and can deliver a serious bite if they feel threatened,” Ellie said. “Dogs should always be kept on leads near seal colonies.”

She added that it is common for seal pups to be seen alone, as mothers often leave them while feeding at sea.

“If a pup looks healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it from a safe distance for 24 hours,” she said. “But if it appears injured, unwell, distressed, or is on a busy public beach, please call our emergency line on 0300 1234 999.”

Ellie also explained that in west Wales most seal sightings involve grey seals rather than common seals.

“If a pup still has a long white coat of fur, known as lanugo, it is likely still dependent on its mother,” she said. “Once they lose that coat, they are weaned and expected to fend for themselves, which is where many struggle and lose weight.”

More information on what to do if you find a seal or seal pup can be found on the RSPCA website.

This winter, the RSPCA has launched The Big Give Back to Animals appeal to raise vital funds for frontline rescue and rehabilitation work.