Community

Guide Dogs charity campaigns for help

Published

12 years ago

February 11, 2014

LAST week The Herald spent an afternoon with Guide Dogs Cymru representatives Kylene and Steve in their pursuit of recruiting volunteers, acquiring donations and spreading the word about the outstanding service the charity provides for people with sight problems.

From St Davids to Tenby, the charity have launched a campaign, which will help with the training of guide dogs and the aiding of the blind, and partially sighted.

Kylene Rafferty explains the purpose behind the scheme: “We are actively recruiting volunteers for various roles within the charity, from dog walking to spending time with those incapable of mobility. We rely purely on donations so any kind of volunteering help we receive helps us immensely.”

Based in Cardiff, Guide Dogs Cymru has fundraising groups throughout the whole of Wales and over 1,500 volunteers. They offer services to blind and partially sighted people and their fundraising groups are focal points in the drive to raise vital funds for Guide Dogs.

Pembrokeshire is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the perfect area to recruit suitable candidates for volunteering tasks, with miles of country and coastal paths for dog walking and a high percentage of people with sight related disabilities.

“We will not rest until people who are blind and partially sighted can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else,” Kylene told The Herald.

Guide Dogs will soon release dates for open days in February which will give those looking to get involved the necessary training and development skills to assist the worthwhile charity.

For further details on how to help please visit http://www.guidedogs.org.uk.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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)