News

Californian sisters reach Pembrokeshire

Published

8 years ago

August 25, 2016

The two sisters: In Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch

RACHAEL and Hayley Williams, two Welsh sisters who moved to California as infants, have elected to walk 870 miles across the Welsh Coastal Path this summer for charity – and in memory of their grandmother.

The two sisters, who are now 29 and 27, have reached the half-way point of their journey, having walked along the whole of the North Wales coast, around Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula, down Cardigan Bay to Poppit Sands.

Beginning on June 15, the girls have elected to raise money for Age Cymru, the national charity for older people in Wales, through sponsorship on their walk. This is to commemorate their late grandmother, who was from Wales.

Rachel and Hayley are hoping to reconnect with their Welsh heritage throughout their journey through visiting historical and cultural sites during their trip.

Discussing the 870 mile walk, Rachel Williams said: “Our paternal grandmother Jean Williams lived in Cardiff, and when we came over for her funeral in 2008, we felt our connection with Wales was starting to slip away.

“We decided we wanted to do something to reconnect with Wales and so we came up with the idea of walking the 870 mile Wales Coastal Path.”

Throughout their journey, Rachel and Hayley are staying in hostels, camping and visiting family members, such as their maternal grandparents in South Wales.

“We’re both looking forward to spending time with our grandparents, Geoff and Valerie Richards”, added Hayley.

“We don’t often get the chance to see them and we would like to be able to do more to look after them, but we can’t do as much as we’d like because we live on the other side of the world.

“This is why we’ve decided to raise funds for Age Cymru during our walk, because of the work it does to improve the lives of older people in Wales.”

Age Cymru works nationally and locally and, through its network of independent local Age Cymru partners, they are committed to achieving an age friendly Wales where older people have equal rights to respect, opportunities and the same access to services as the rest of the population.

Both girls set off from Poppit Sands on Friday (Jul 29) and are now completing the Pembrokeshire branch of their journey. To donate to Rachael and Hayley’s Walking Wales 2016 fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/walkingwales2016. You can also follow their walk on Twitter at @walkingwales16 and look out for ‘Walking Wales 2016’ on Facebook.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.