Community comes together for ‘Light up a Life’ event in support of Paul Sartori Foundation

A REMEMBRANCE concert in Tenby has raised more than £4,000 to support hospice care across Pembrokeshire.

The Paul Sartori Foundation has thanked the local community following its Light up a Life 2026 concert, which raised £4,044.42.

Held at St Mary’s Church at the end of January, the event brought together families, friends and supporters for an evening of reflection and remembrance. Candlelight, readings and music created a peaceful setting for people to honour loved ones and celebrate lives that continue to be cherished.

The charity expressed its gratitude to everyone who contributed to the evening, including those who attended and donated, as well as the volunteers and performers who gave their time.

The concert featured performances from the Paul Sartori Community Choir, who were joined for the first time by Cor Dyfed Choir. Soloists Julie Conybeare and Margaret Blackledge also performed, helping to create what organisers described as a warm and uplifting atmosphere. Members of staff from the Foundation gave readings in both English and Welsh.

Joanne Lutwyche, Event and Fundraising Officer at the Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Reverend Stephen Brett, Margaret Peak and the whole church community at St Mary’s for welcoming us so warmly to Tenby.

“Our sincere thanks also go to all the musicians, our wonderful volunteers, and the Paul Sartori staff who worked behind the scenes to make the evening run so smoothly. Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended and supported Light up a Life 2026. It was a truly special evening, and the kindness shown by the Tenby community means so much to us.”

The Foundation said the event demonstrated the strength of community support for local hospice care.

The funds raised will help provide specialist end-of-life care and support for people living with life-limiting illness, as well as their families, across Pembrokeshire.

For more information, visit: www.paulsartori.org

Former offender now helping homeless in Newport outreach programme

A SALVATION Army support worker who spent years caught up in crime and prison has shared a powerful message of hope this Easter — urging others never to give up.

Ray Faulkner, now working on a daily breakfast outreach in Newport, says his life has been transformed after decades of hardship, racism and time behind bars.

Born in London in 1962, Ray was sent to Jamaica as a child due to severe asthma and raised by his grandparents. He returned to the UK aged sixteen, settling in Bristol — where he says he experienced racism for the first time.

Speaking about his early years, Ray said: “I arrived in the city a week after the 1980 riots. It was a volatile place. Getting a job was not easy for a young black lad fresh into the UK from the West Indies.

“It was a culture shock as I’d never experienced racism back in Jamaica. I rebelled and pushed back against life. My anger and aggression got worse. I felt harassed by the police. I was drawn into gangs and street crime and started getting into trouble.”

Despite developing a passion for food while working at a sandwich bar in Bristol market, Ray’s life spiralled into repeated offending, leading to a lengthy prison sentence — which he describes as feeling like a “life sentence”.

He was eventually released in 2018.

After leaving prison, Ray began volunteering, cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness during the Covid lockdown. He later secured a role with The Salvation Army, working on its Breakfast Run — part of The Open Door Project in Newport.

His role involves early morning outreach, providing food and support to people sleeping rough across the city.

“When I came out of prison, I was volunteering and cooking food for people experiencing homelessness,” he said.

“This job was like the heavens opened. My message is don’t give up — there is always hope.

“I go out early in the morning to meet people wherever they are — in tents, alleyways or under bridges. I offer breakfast and a hot drink, but more importantly I try to build trust. My goal is to help people into accommodation and proper support.”

Newport’s Outreach Programme Manager Zoë Mathias said Ray’s journey had made him a vital part of the team.

“Ray’s story is one of new beginnings,” she said.

“After facing racism, hardship and more than 20 years in prison, he chose hope instead of anger. He now uses his own experiences to support people who feel forgotten. He has flourished here and become a valued colleague.”

The outreach programme operates seven days a week and supports around seventy people at any one time. Over the past year, 263 individuals have received help, with around three-quarters moving on to more stable situations.

Latest Welsh Government figures show Newport has one of the highest homelessness rates in Wales. In 2024–25, around 187.9 households per 10,000 were assessed as homeless — roughly one in every 53 households.

THIS year is already shaping up to be a landmark one for Laura Hugman, who has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer at The Paul Sartori Foundation while also preparing to take on one of the world’s most demanding endurance events – the London Marathon.

Laura moves into the CEO position after a decade as the charity’s Clinical Lead, and following her appointment as Interim CEO in January 2026. Over the past ten years, she has played a central role in shaping and delivering compassionate care across Pembrokeshire, working closely with patients, families, staff and volunteers. Her deep understanding of clinical services, combined with a calm, people-first leadership style, brings continuity, trust and experience at a crucial time for the organisation.

In her new role, Laura is focused on building on the charity’s strong foundations while keeping its core mission firmly in sight – supporting people living with life-limiting illness. She is committed to ensuring sustainable growth while remaining true to the values that underpin the charity’s work within the community. She will continue to work closely with Chair Dave Evans and Vice-Chair Jason Tomlin.

Away from the office, Laura is also taking on a personal challenge that reflects the same determination she brings to her professional life. A relative newcomer to running, she joined The Waterfront Community Runners in 2021, initially as a way to improve her fitness. What began as a modest step has since developed into a goal she once never imagined – completing a full marathon.

Training for the London Marathon demands consistency, resilience and patience – qualities that closely mirror the care delivered every day by the Paul Sartori team. Early starts, long-distance runs and physical fatigue have all become part of the routine, but Laura remains motivated by the cause she represents and the people the charity supports.

The marathon itself – 26.2 miles of physical and mental endurance – will see thousands take to the streets, cheered on by crowds and watched by millions around the world. For Laura, it is more than a race; it is an opportunity to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work and to generate much-needed funds.

She hopes to raise around £3,600 – the equivalent of one day’s cost of providing the charity’s hospice-at-home services, helping ensure that compassionate care remains available to families across Pembrokeshire when they need it most.

As Laura steps into these dual challenges – one in the boardroom and one on the road – she does so with determination, compassion and a clear sense of purpose.

She will be cheered on every step of the way when she takes part in the marathon on Sunday (Apr 26).

To support Laura, visit her JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/laura-hugman-2