Charity

Pembrokeshire care staff and pupils spread Christmas cheer with charity gift bags

Published

3 weeks ago

December 22, 2025

STAFF and pupils from Orbis Education and Care services in Pembrokeshire have helped donate more than 100 Christmas gift bags to seriously ill children, as part of a Wales-wide festive charity campaign.

The initiative, known as the Build a Bag campaign, saw Orbis staff, pupils and residents from specialist schools and care homes come together to prepare festive goodie bags for children aged between three and 16.

The bags were donated to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity at Cardiff’s Heath Hospital and to Dreams and Wishes, which supports children living with life-limiting conditions.

Pembrokeshire services operated by Orbis include The Old Manse in Haverfordwest, Bangeston Hall and Maes Y Coed in Pembroke Dock, Stockwell in Pembroke Dock, Rosendale in Tenby, and Awel y Mor in Saundersfoot. Staff and residents from these homes took part alongside Orbis services across south and mid Wales.

Each bag was filled with a mixture of toys, games and festive treats, as well as practical items such as clothing and toiletries, aimed at bringing comfort and cheer to children spending Christmas in hospital or dealing with serious illness.

The campaign encouraged pupils and residents supported by Orbis to take an active role in giving back to others, reinforcing values of kindness, empathy and community support during the festive period.

Lou Aubrey, Commercial Director at Orbis Education and Care, said the response from staff and young people had been overwhelming.

She said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our staff and pupils and are thrilled to be able to give back to those in need this Christmas.

“It was incredibly moving to see the reaction when we delivered the bags. To be able to support Noah’s Ark Charity and Dreams and Wishes – two charities close to our hearts – is especially meaningful at this time of year.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated and helped make this year’s Build a Bag campaign such a success.”

Orbis Education and Care is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist education and residential services for children, young people and adults with complex needs associated with autism. The organisation employs around 900 staff across Wales and England.

Its Pembrokeshire services provide residential care for adults with autism, supporting individuals to live as independently as possible within their local communities.

Orbis said the Build a Bag campaign also gave pupils and residents a sense of pride in contributing to something positive, while strengthening links between care services and charitable organisations supporting children across Wales.

Pic caption: Orbis Education and Care staff delivering Christmas gift bags to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity (Pic: Orbis).

Charity

Major storm damage confirmed at popular Pembrokeshire ABC

Published

4 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Pembrokeshire sporting club – described as ‘a breathing hub of inclusion and resilience’ – has launched a major fund raising drive after recent storms wreaked thousands of pounds worth of damage to its structure.

A large section of roofing at the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club has fallen in as a result of strong winds while the main gym area is currently inaccessible.

“It’s heartbreaking to see this important community facility hit so hard by the recent storms,” commented South Pembrokeshire’s Senedd Member, Sam Kurtz.

“I’ve seen for myself the fantastic work that Pembroke and Pembroke Dock ABC does when I attended a junior disability boxing session at the club in Water Street, Pembroke Dock.

“It leads by example, and the club is an outstanding example of where community and fitness brings everyone together.

“I ask everyone to support the club as it attempts to repair the storm damage in whatever way they can.”

Pembroke and Pembroke Dock ABC prides itself on welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds on a daily basis including those in need of recovery support, adaptive sport or trauma-informed programmes. This includes people receiving stroke recovery, Parkinson’s support, safeguarding workshops and youth mentoring.

The club also prides itself on having a strong team of volunteers, aged between 16 and 70, who are described as ‘the heartbeat’ of the club’s work.

Formed in 1964 by Police Officer Bryn Phillips, the club later affiliated to WABA and has become a well established and much loved part of the community, producing many champions and taking part in numerous local community events.

Since then, it has witnessed a steady increase in users as more families, schools and support services continue to use its facilities.

The club is currently trying to raise a total of £50,000 to repair the extensive storm damage. All donations can be made via the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock AFC gofund me link.

Charity

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

Published

9 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.