Community

Support campaign to help vulnerable children

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

ON January 28, Challenger Sports launched a campaign, Boots2Brazil, with the aim of sending thousands of unwanted football boots to help under-privileged children in Brazil and raising funds to support vulnerable children in the UK.

Backed by Alan Shearer, and part of a wider fundraising campaign to support the NSPCC’s vital work here in the UK, Boots2Brazil needs parents and children in Wales to root around for any unwanted and no-longer used football boots hiding at the back of their cupboards.

The boots will be shipped to Brazil to be distributed by local charities to severely impoverished children, using sport to engage them in key life changing services such as education and healthcare.

Vulnerable children here in the UK will be helped by the campaign through simultaneous fundraising for NSPCC projects focused on ending cruelty to children. A variety of fundraising activities will be rolled out throughout 2014 such as corporate match-funding for every pair of boots collected, a text to donate number, and school football tournaments.

Former England and Newcastle United footballer, Alan Shearer, said:

“As an official NSPCC ambassador, I am proud to support the Boots2Brazil campaign. The money raised will help the NSPCC protect vulnerable children and prevent abuse here in the UK, whilst the donated football boots will help improve the lives of under-privileged children in Brazil. It’s a fantastic campaign, so please dig out your children’s old boots and get involved!”

Although there is no official figure for the number of children living on the streets in Brazil, estimates put it somewhere in the region of 25 million. These children’s lives are under constant threat caused by extreme poverty including drug abuse, sexual predators, desperate hunger and even death squads.

Marcio Cezar de Silva works for the local Council in Rio das Flores, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, and will be involved in distributing some of the boots to children in the area. He said:

“We are very excited about how this project will provide assistance to hundreds of under-privileged children in our area, and we thank [Boots2Brazil] on behalf of our City.”

Boots2Brazil marks the start of a three-year fundraising partnership between Challenger Sports, the world’s largest children’s football coaching company, and the NSPCC. As part of this Challenger has committed to donating 25p to the NSPCC from every one of its football courses or lessons booked online before the end of the World Cup in June this year.

Through this, and other activities, Challenger Sports aims to raise £25,000 in the first year to support the NSPCC’s projects and services across the UK, including ChildLine – the UK’s free, confidential, 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people who need to talk. Head of Corporate Partnerships for the NSPCC, Chris Jarrett, said:

“We want to encourage generous members of the public to donate unwanted children’s football boots to Boots2Brazil. By supporting this project people can not only help Brazilian children, but can also support the NSPCC to continue to protect children in communities across the UK.”

Old boots can be sent by post to Boots2Brazil c/o Challenger Sports, Pinewood, Chineham Business Park, Basingstoke, Hants, RG24 8AL. Alternatively, locate your nearest collection point by visiting www.Boots2Brazil.co.uk. Or to donate £1 to support the NSPCC’s vital work with vulnerable children in the UK, simply text BOOTS to 70744.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).