News

A Badger special: Badger and the money tree

Published

11 years ago

March 4, 2015

moneytree CHINESE mythology is not Badger’s forte. In his sett, Badger’s main concern with matters oriental is that his crispy hedgehog in bo’s’n sauce and worm Chow Mein are suitably yummy and come with a side order of prawn crackers. The legend of the money tree does, however, seem pertinent to the Local Health Board’s treatment of charitable funds raised for healthcare charities. You see readers, the coins on the money tree link paradise with a material bounty in this world. Paradise. readers. That’s what it is all about. In order to create an earthly paradise. the Health Board needs material bounty in excess of that provided by that loveable scallywag Mark Drakeford, whose world begins and ends in Cardiff Bay. And when it needs that material bounty it shakes the money tree and out the readies tumble.
twenty pence pieces and pound coins you give to local charities mount up over lime. The charities and appeals involved are above reproach in their conduct with your money. They have constitutions that set out how they are able to spend the money you donate to them. Let’s look at just one example. The Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Appeal. Registered Charity Number 1136641. its purposes, according to the Charity Commission website, are:

• Fundraising for additional facilities in proposed new cancer care day unit.
• Cancer support services to patients referred from local hospital.

• Distraction therapies including tranquillity room and pamper room. • Counselling venue and information centre also used by organisations. such as CRUSE, bereavement counselling, Pembs counselling services plus Pembs breast cancer support group. The Appeal has raised over half a million pounds to fulfil those purposes. Not Badger’s guess – he words of the Local Health Board who in 2010 wrote in a press release: “To date. almost £500,000 has been raised through the Bucketful of Hope Appeal and other donations to Ward 10 and the Chemotherapy Day Care Unit in readiness to fulfil Adam’s dream. “in a recent meeting between the charity members, the C h a irm an of the Board Chris Martin said that the Health Board is currently in discussions with clinical staff about the future of chemotherapy services and the chemotherapy day unit in Pembrokeshire.

“He said: “The Health Board will work closely with Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, and other fundraisers. to ensure that chemotherapy services are delivered in a modern day facility and that the funding which has been donated for this purpose will be used for the benefit of Pembrokeshire patients. Future proposals will be available by the early summer of next year and we look forward to working closely with the Bucketful of Hope appeal during that time.” “Adam’s mother Chris Evans-Thomas commented: “We did not envisage fundraising for this amount The Bucketful and the Board And what a lot of readies they are readers. All the f time and frustration was setting in, but to know that we will have a definite date for a new CDU by May 2011 is wonderful news!

It this means we can move forward with a real message of hope for the New Year!’ Almost four years have passed since that announcement. Where is the hope? More to the point, where is the money? The Health Board has callously claimed that the Bucketful of Hope Appeal has raised only £1 5,500 or so to the costs of a new Cancer Day Unit. Poppycock, readers! The Board are speaking out of an orifice that if spoken from would usually be subject to the sort of significant colorectal examination the Board could ill afford.

And the product of such speech reminds Badger of nothing so much as the fate of flatterers in Dante’s inferno. The Board is. however. not lying. It is, however, being very (very) economical with the truth. Bear with Badger readers and he will explain how and why he has reached that conclusion.
The money-go-round NHS charitable funds are organised into two types, like other charitable funds. Those funds are “Restricted” (which means that the funds can only be used for the specific purposes of the charity) and “Unrestricted” (which means that they can be used more broadly and at the discretion of the charity trustees). Under “Restricted Funds” are two sorts of other fund “Endowment” for example where someone donates the income from an asset for a specific purpose and “material funds, that is funds that can only be used for the purposes either specified by the donors or by the terms of the appeal which led to their donation.

Under “Unrestricted Funds” come “unrestricted funds” are those donated for a wider purpose and “designated funds’, which are set aside by the trustees for designated projects at their discretion. In the latter case the use of the funds to fulfil a purpose, such as building a new cancer day unit at Withybush, is entirely down to the trustees. So far readers. so dry. But what happens do you suppose when you give a Health Board the power to re-designate charitable funds? So that a Board can switch funds from restricted to unrestricted ones to suit itself? Well, readers what happened was this: In 2009/2010 the Health Board had £6.9 million in restricted funds. It had £13m in endowment funds and just under £5.4m in material funds. Remember readers that material funds can only be spent on the projects the donors direct. That is £5.4m that had to be spent on specific projects. And then POOP With a wave of a bean counter’s pencil some of it disappeared. Yes, in 2010/2011 there were only E1.5rn in material funds dedicated to the donors” intentions. £3.9m readers. £3.9 million went walkies out of a restricted material fund and became unrestricted for the trustees of the Board’s tame in-house charity to spend on whatever the Board wanted it spent on.
Why change?
Now the Board claims all this was all above board and all according to the law of the land. But was that accounting jiggery-pokery in the spirit of the law or in the spirit in which donations were made by Pembrokeshire residents to Pembrokeshire health causes for the benefit of Pembrokeshire residents? Or was it simply a cynical money grab to meet the agenda of a centralising Board. jealous of too much money being held in ways that meant the money was beyond its sticky mitts? Draw your own conclusions readers, pray do. Now from the above, certain issues

Charity

Salvation Army calls for more volunteers across Wales

Published

9 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SALVATION Army is encouraging more people to get involved in their local communities as Volunteers’ Week marks its 42nd anniversary.

Volunteers’ Week runs from Monday, June 1 to Sunday, June 7, recognising the contribution made by volunteers across the UK.

Across Wales, volunteers play a vital role in The Salvation Army’s community services. They help run activities and classes in community centres, prepare and serve food at lunch clubs and community cafés, support charity shops, and provide meals for people who might otherwise spend Christmas Day alone.

Lyddia Kibaara, The Salvation Army’s Volunteering Manager said: “We’re incredibly privileged to have the support of so many dedicated, kind people who keep our community services running.

“Time is the only non-renewable resource we have, and our volunteers give it generously. Their time transforms the communities we serve.

“We have families who have volunteered with us through the generations, students who are looking for their first volunteering experiences, people who can cook for a crowd, help others with debt advice, or share their digital skills to make sure others aren’t left behind.”

A chance to help others

Anne Evans, 74, began volunteering at The Salvation Army shop in Newtown after retiring and looking for something worthwhile to do.

She said the experience had opened her eyes to the problems faced by people in her community, including poverty, loneliness, relationship breakdowns and employment issues.

Anne said: “I enjoy talking to people who pop into the shop as everybody has a different story to tell. It makes you realise that you don’t know how many problems people can face.

“They are glad to have someone who listens to them and takes an interest in their lives.

“Also, with the rising cost-of-living, people appreciate that we sell items at affordable prices. That’s such an important thing for people right now. Life is becoming more expensive.”

‘More than just a shop’

The Salvation Army supports some of the most disadvantaged people in communities across Wales, including those experiencing homelessness, older people, people affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and those looking to develop skills for work.

Gary Chapman, 43, volunteers at The Salvation Army charity shop in Llanelli.

After his marriage broke down, Gary experienced homelessness for a number of years. He said volunteering at the shop had changed his life and helped him support others.

Gary said: “We are more than just a shop. We are a meeting place. A focal point in the community.

“We offer support, love and care in so many ways, whether through a friendly chat, a listening ear over a cup of tea, or practical help in someone’s hour of need.

“There could be one person comes through the door who is really struggling. Hopefully I can be there for that person.

“I enjoy interacting with people and helping them if I can. That’s what we are here for in The Salvation Army. We are here to help people. We are here to listen to their concerns.”

How to volunteer

Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to thank those who give their time, passion and skills so generously, while also encouraging others to get involved.

Anyone interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army can visit: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/volunteer

News

St Davids lifeboats launched twice in one day after yacht damaged and kayaker rescued

Published

10 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BOTH St Davids RNLI lifeboats were launched on Wednesday (May 27) after separate incidents involving a damaged yacht in St Brides Bay and a kayaker who had become separated from his craft in Ramsey Sound.

The all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley was first tasked at 3:12pm to assist a yacht in St Brides Bay after its mast snapped and its sails were lost during gusts in a thunderstorm.

The lifeboat launched at 3:27pm and made its way to the scene, encountering patches of fog and thundery showers en route. Conditions were otherwise described as smooth to slight, with good visibility and winds of between three and five knots.

The volunteer crew arrived at 4:00pm and found the yacht had also lost engine propulsion. A tow was established and the vessel was taken safely to a mooring in Dale.

The yacht was secured to a buoy before the lifeboat departed at 7:00pm. The crew returned to station at 8:00pm and the boat was back on service by 8:15pm.

While the all-weather lifeboat was still at sea, St Davids’ inshore lifeboat was tasked at 5:18pm to a kayaker who had become separated from his kayak.

The crew launched at 5:35pm and headed to the south end of Ramsey Sound, off Treginnis Head. The casualty was located on Shoe Rock, where crew members helped him aboard and carried out a medical assessment.

The kayaker had been wearing a buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help, allowing him to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard after becoming separated from his kayak.

He and his craft were safely returned to Porthclais Harbour, and the inshore lifeboat returned to station, where it was back on service at 8:00pm.

RNLI inshore lifeboat helm Chris Limbert said: “This rescue was a brilliant example of why it’s so important to always wear a buoyancy aid and carry a means of contact.

“If the kayaker had been without a buoyancy aid, he may have struggled to stay afloat and get himself safely onto the rock.

“He was also carrying a mobile phone which allowed him to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Our crew of volunteers are on call 24/7 to go to people’s aid. Never be afraid to call for help.”

Pic: RNLI/Rosie Rees

Crime

Haverfordwest sex offender jailed over child abuse material

Published

14 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Registered offender used library computers to hide social media accounts

A HAVERFORDWEST sex offender who used public library computers to exchange child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of minors has been jailed for 20 months.

Euwyn Draper, aged 22, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

Recorder Greg Bull KC told him the courts had “bent over backwards” to assist him in the past, but said those efforts had failed.

He told Draper: “I’m not going to lecture you because I would be wasting my breath. You knew you had to comply with the order.”

Secret accounts

The court heard that Draper had been made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order in 2024 after earlier convictions for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The order banned him from holding social media accounts in any name other than his own and required him to disclose relationships or friendships to police when asked.

Despite this, Draper secretly maintained accounts on a number of platforms, including X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and BlueSky. The BlueSky account had been registered under a false name.

His use of Snapchat was specifically prohibited because of the platform’s auto-delete function.

Library computers

Prosecutor Megan Williams said Draper’s latest offending came to light on May 5 this year during a routine meeting with his offender manager at Haverfordwest police station.

When asked about his internet use, Draper claimed he only went to the library to watch YouTube and listen to Spotify. He denied having any social media accounts or communicating with anyone online.

But as questioning continued, he became “flustered” and admitted he had been chatting to a male online and had an X account which had not been disclosed to police.

Officers attended the library with Draper the following day to examine his digital activity.

After he logged in using his library ID and opened his Google account, police reviewed his X profile and found sexually explicit conversations between Draper and another male in which the pair discussed sexual activity involving children aged five and above.

The court heard that explicit photographs had also been exchanged.

Police also discovered that Draper had reinstalled Instagram after previously deleting the account in front of officers.

Previous offending

Draper has three previous convictions for 14 offences.

In April 2024 he was given a suspended prison sentence and made subject to the sexual harm prevention order for possessing and distributing child sex abuse images.

Within months, he breached the order by maintaining an undisclosed social media account. In September 2024 he was jailed for 16 months for possession of further indecent images.

When interviewed about the latest breaches, Draper answered “no comment” to all questions.

‘Immature young man’

Alex Scott, defending, described Draper as an “immature young man” who lived an isolated life in rented accommodation and acted “impulsively” in relation to social media.

He said Draper had co-operated with police by accompanying officers to the library and recognised the need to address the underlying causes of his behaviour.