Community

Pioneering eye surgery offers hope for Lloyd

Published

9 years ago

February 26, 2016

fund FUNDRAISING is underway for 22-year-old Saundersfoot local Lloyd Davies, who desperately needs pioneering eye surgery in the United States who lost his eyesight after being diagnosed as suffering from Lebers Hereditary Optical Neuritis (LHON).

Led by Professor John Guy, the gene therapy treatment is the first in the world that could potentially cure LHON and fundraising is now well underway to help Lloyd raise the £10,000 he needs in order to make the trip to the USA and stay out there for the duration of the treatment.

The former Greenhill School pupil had aspirations of joining the Royal Navy to become a Navy Diver, and whilst he was waiting to complete the final parts of the admissions process, he enrolled onto the Marine Biology course at Swansea University.

In November 2013 Lloyd’s world was turned upside down when he began to suffer from a slight blurring of vision in his left eye. After putting up with it for a short period, he decided to go for an appointment at his local ophthalmic optician, who immediately referred him to the Ophthalmic Department at his local hospital who began to run tests to discover the cause of his sight issues.

By Christmas 2013 Lloyd had lost all vision in his left eye within just a month of first noticing any problem at all. By January 2014 he was given the devastating news that the cause of his sudden blindness was that he was suffering from LHON, and that usually the other eye would be affected within a matter of months.

This proved to be correct, as shortly after diagnosis Lloyd started to lose the sight in his right eye. By August 2014, shortly after celebrating his 21^st birthday he was declared as being legally blind.

The condition has robbed the fun loving, sports mad individual from doing all the things he enjoys and has prevented him from pursuing the career of his dreams. It is hoped that the treatment will restore Lloyd’s vision and help him to pursue his ambitions in life.

Lloyd told The Herald about how the condition has affected his life and how grateful he is to those who have started the fundraising account and also to his family and friends who have helped him through this difficult period in his life

“When I was 20 years old, I lost my sight to a genetic disease called LHON (Lebers Hereditary Optical Neuritis). It took less than 5 months from having 20/20 vision to being registered as blind. Up until then I had lived the life of any normal lad growing up my age, being able to drive, play rugby, scuba dive and travel like anyone else takes for granted.

“The Summer before I lost my sight it worked at a Summer Camp in New York as a wakeboard instructor – something I now can’t do as I don’t think a blind person would be too safe driving boats!

“After I got back from Summer Camp I was in the process of joining the Royal Navy, something I now can’t accomplish.

“Once I was registered blind, there were life choices taken away from me – one of the biggest ones being my ability to drive – something I took for granted until I had to rely on buses, taxis, trains and lifts from other people.

“Later in September 2014 I joined the RNC (Royal National College for the Blind) in Hereford where I studied as a personal trainer in year one and currently doing massage in my second year, where I am still learning how to live with such limited sight.

“Since this all happened, everyday tasks have become daunting and tricky. Something as simple as finding the coffee to make a drink or trying to find something that has been moved by someone else.

“As trivial as it sounds, little things like having to take a picture of what other people are looking at, just to be able to enlarge and zoom in, just to try to see for myself. One of the things I now hate doing is going out for a meal, because even having to have the menu read out and chasing food around the plate becomes embarrassing.“

Regular everyday activities that people do without a second thought have become a chore for Lloyd and he explains that the surgery in America is his only chance to restore normality in his life, and that it is potentially not only himself that will be affected as there is a 50/50 chance of his younger brother also having the condition:

“As a result of the changes and difficulties that I’ve encountered I have been lucky to have such amazingly supportive family and friends that have helped keep my hopes up for future treatment and this opportunity to go to America for the trial is not one that I can afford to miss.

“The gene therapy treatment that is being trialled in the States is the first in the world to potentially cure my condition. “

“It is not just me has been affected by this as my younger brother has the same gene mutation and has a 50/50 chance of going blind too. Other members of my family also have the chance of being affected.

“As a result of this opportunity coming along, I will have to travel to and stay in America with someone coming with me and live there for 3/4 months whilst the trial is being carried out.

“I need to raise funds as quickly as possible is the trial is expected to start in the next few months.”

You can help Lloyd to get to the States and undergo treatment by donating via the ‘Light for Lloyd’ fundraising GOFUND ME page online, by typing the following link into your browser: https://www.gofundme.com/e8pte9xm

Alternatively you can search online for ‘Light for Lloyd’ and follow the links to donate, or go to social media site Facebook and search ‘Light for Lloyd’.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

19 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”