A MILFORD HAVEN man will take on an eight-hour stationary bike ride early in the new year to raise money for the hospice that cared for his sister-in-law during her final months.

Ian Hobbs will complete the challenge at Inner Tiger Fitness on Friday, 3 January, in support of St David’s Hospice, Newport, which provided end-of-life care for Samantha, who died from bowel cancer earlier this year at the age of 44.

Ian and his wife Steph say the fundraiser is a way to thank the hospice for the “tremendous care and support” Samantha received during her illness. Ian set an initial target of £500, which has already been met, and has now increased the goal to £1,000.

The effort is also offering an opportunity for local businesses to sponsor Ian’s challenge. He will be wearing a T-shirt displaying the hospice logo, with space for additional business logos to be added ahead of the event.

Steph said the family hope the community will get behind the fundraiser to help raise as much as possible for the hospice, which relies heavily on donations to continue its work.

The JustGiving page for the challenge can be found here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-hobbs-1

YOUNG people from 1st Johnston Scout Group spent their Saturday morning making a positive difference in their community by planting around 1,000 purple crocus corms in Withybush Woods, Haverfordwest, as part of a global movement to help eradicate polio.

The planting session contributes towards the Group’s Community Impact work and for many of those taking part, it offered the chance to take local action linked to a global cause.

The purple crocuses carry an important message. They represent a worldwide effort to end polio, a virus that mainly affects children under the age of five. Polio can lead to paralysis, breathing difficulties and in some cases, death. Routine vaccinations mean young people in the UK are protected, but the virus remains present in parts of the world. Until polio is eliminated everywhere, children everywhere remain at risk.

The colour choice is deeply symbolic. During mass vaccination campaigns in some parts of the world, children’s fingers are marked with purple ink once they receive the vaccine. This is an easy visual way for health workers to track progress. When the crocuses bloom in spring, they will stand as a reminder of the children still waiting for the vaccine.

This planting was delivered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Haverfordwest who supplied the corms through a national initiative, where donations support vaccination programmes backed by the World Health Organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Simon Preddy, Group Lead Volunteer said: “As we head into Christmas, the Scouts wanted to do something that gives back. Planting these corms is a small act, but the message behind it is powerful. When the flowers appear, they’ll remind us that even local efforts can support children across the world.”

Now tucked safely beneath winter soil, the crocus corms will wait for spring, ready to bloom into a field of purple hope. A simple gesture of care, community, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and a meaningful way to mark the season of giving.

NEYLAND will welcome Father Christmas on Friday 19 December as the town’s annual sleigh tour and Christmas grotto return, organised by Neyland Town Council with support from Gareth Hughes Motors.

The Christmas Fairy announced the event on social media with the seasonal message: “It’s tiiiiiiimmmmmmeeee! I hope you’ve all been good… come and meet the big man himself. You might even get a little treat if you’re on Santa’s good list. We can’t wait to see you all there.”

Santa will begin his sleigh ride around Neyland at 5:30pm, with the elves from Gareth Hughes Motors escorting him through several of the town’s residential streets. The planned route will take in Rose and Willow at 5:30pm, Springfield Avenue, the entrance to Gordon Parry, the Forresters, Policeman’s Bank, the Yacht Club area, and Riverside Avenue by the cenotaph.

The sleigh will then arrive at Neyland Community Hub at 6:30pm, where Santa’s Grotto will open for families to visit. Hot festive food will be available to buy from The Hub’s kitchen throughout the evening.

The event is free to attend, with the Town Council encouraging as many families as possible to come along and enjoy the festivities.