A retired Pembrokeshire farmer is lacing up his trainers for one of the world’s most iconic marathons, inspired by his family and driven by a cause close to his heart.

On March 22, Steve Ford, 68, will take on the Rome Marathon when he will be running alongside his daughter and son-in-law in what has become a remarkable family endeavour.

Since beginning his training in May 2025, Steve has clocked an extraordinary amount of miles for a first-time marathon runner.  He has covered a staggering 726 miles and has logged no fewer than 130 hours of running.  This includes 34,524 feet of elevation which is more than the height of Mount Everest.

Now, with less than three weeks to go, Steve has just completed one of his longest training runs to date.

He is running in aid of Parkinson’s UK, which is a cause close to his family’s heart, having been personally touched by the condition. To date, he has raised over £4,100, and his family are immensely proud of everything he has achieved.

Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive brain condition affecting more than 153,000 people in the UK. With over 40 symptoms, ranging from tremor and pain to anxiety and depression, and no cure, the need for research and support has never been greater. Someone in the UK is diagnosed every 20 minutes, and by 2050, the number of people living with Parkinson’s worldwide is expected to double to 25 million. Parkinson’s UK funds vital research into new treatments and provides life-changing support services for those affected.

To support Steve and donate to Parkinson’s UK, visit: https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/stephenford/overseas-runs-2026

Dyfed’s High Sheriff supports charity following dramatic family rescue years ago

THE HIGH Sheriff of Dyfed has spent her year in office raising thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance charity — a cause close to her heart after the lifesaving service once came to the aid of her own son.

Ann Jones, who has lived in the village of Llandewi Brefi in Ceredigion for forty years, chose to champion the charity during her term, highlighting the vital role it plays in supporting rural communities.

Speaking about her decision, she said the service was particularly important in remote areas such as the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains.

She said: “There are two reasons why I wanted to support the Wales Air Ambulance during my year as High Sheriff.

“Firstly, we are at the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains. As you can imagine it is quite a remote area. It is beautiful, but the road network is dreadful.

“When someone falls critically ill, or there is a serious road accident, the air ambulance is a lifeline for our community.”

The second reason, she explained, is personal.

“Many years ago, my son was riding a horse when he was knocked unconscious,” she said.

“The air ambulance came to his aid. Thankfully there was no serious damage and he made a complete recovery. As a family, we’ve never forgotten that.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatments directly to patients at the scene of emergencies. If required, crews can also transfer patients directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

The service operates through a partnership between the charity and the NHS. While highly skilled consultants and critical care practitioners are supplied by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), the charity itself relies on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.

This advanced critical care capability allows crews to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and even carry out minor surgical procedures at the scene.

During her year in office, Ann visited the charity’s headquarters in Dafen near Llanelli.

“It was fascinating to meet Rory the pilot and Tony who is an Operational Support Assistant,” she said.

“They took the time to explain what they do. What struck me was how calm and professional they were. The alarm could have gone off at any minute, and it was reassuring to see they were ready and able to respond.”

Ann described her year as High Sheriff as “memorable”, with the visit to the air ambulance base providing the “icing on the cake”.

Her term began with a declaration service at her local chapel on Tuesday (Mar 25, 2025).

Since then, a series of fundraising events has been organised to support the charity, including a special evening at the Tyglyn Hotel near Aberaeron organised by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Donald Morgan.

The evening featured entertainment from local group Mishmash and attracted strong community support.

One of the highlights was a festive tractor run in December which saw around forty-five decorated tractors take part.

“There were Christmas trees on the roofs of the tractors and lights everywhere,” she said.

“People were incredibly creative and created themes. Pickup trucks also joined in so families — including elderly residents — could take part.”

Children were also invited to decorate their own ride-on toys, bikes and miniature tractors for the event.

An auction featuring twenty-five lots was held alongside the run, while refreshments were provided by Café Dewi, a voluntary café run by the local Women’s Institute.

Despite the village’s small size, the event raised £7,200.

“It’s incredible really that on a Sunday before Christmas, when money is short for many people, the community gave so generously,” Ann said.

In total, Ann expects to raise more than £12,000 for the charity before the end of her term.

“I have relied on friends, family and local businesses for support — both financially and practically,” she said.

“It just shows how generous the people of Cardiganshire are.”

Her final fundraising event will be a fashion show at the Falcondale Hotel in Lampeter.

Emily Bell, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Coordinator, praised the High Sheriff’s efforts.

“What an incredible year,” she said.

“The High Sheriff of Dyfed has championed Wales Air Ambulance throughout her term in office and we are hugely grateful for her support.

“We would also like to thank everyone who supported the High Sheriff’s fundraising activities — every pound raised helps save lives.”

Cover image:

Emily Bell, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Coordinator and Ann Jones, High
Sheriff of Dyfed 2025-2026

Free family event at Withybush Aerodrome to raise vital funds for Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity

AT a time when charities across Wales are facing increasing financial pressure, one Pembrokeshire organisation is calling on the community to come together in support of local children and young people experiencing grief.

Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity will host its Big Bash on Saturday 6 June at Withybush Aerodrome, promising a free, family-friendly day of activities while raising essential funds for its bereavement support services.

The charity works with families across Pembrokeshire and throughout Wales during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Demand for support continues to grow, while funding streams remain uncertain — making community events such as the Big Bash more important than ever.

Organisers say the day is about more than fundraising. It is also about raising awareness of the support available locally and highlighting the real families and real stories at the heart of the charity’s work.

One mother who accessed Sandy Bear’s services said taking part in a previous event had a lasting impact on her child.

“We never thought something like a fun run would matter so much, but it did,” she said. “It was the first time we saw our child smile without forcing it. Sandy Bear helped make that possible.”

The day will begin at 11am with the Sandy Bear Fun Run, featuring accessible 1.5k and 3k routes designed to suit all abilities, including wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. For a £5 registration fee, participants can walk, jog or run the course, helping to kickstart the celebrations while directly supporting local bereavement services.

Following the fun run, the main pavilion will host a range of local stalls, food vendors, entertainment and performances, creating what organisers describe as a welcoming and inclusive party atmosphere.

With charities increasingly being asked to do more with less, Sandy Bear hopes the Big Bash will encourage residents to reconnect with their community and support organisations working quietly behind the scenes to make a life-changing difference.

Advance registration for the fun run is encouraged due to high expected turnout, though limited on-the-day registration will be available from 10.15am.