Teen competitor airlifted to Cardiff Hospital with major injuries as community rallies to support her recovery

A FUNDRAISING campaign has passed the £5,000 mark in support of Delphi, a talented young surfer from South Pembrokeshire who was seriously injured in a car accident last week.

The teenager, who had been preparing to compete in the Euros Surf Competition next year, was left with significant injuries after the crash. Emergency services had to cut her free from the vehicle before she was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. She remains there awaiting surgery after suffering a broken pelvis and other trauma, with what is expected to be a long road to recovery.

Her family are currently travelling to Cardiff every day and staying by her side as she undergoes treatment. Friends say the injury has been devastating for a young athlete whose life revolves around the ocean, training, and the competitive surf scene.

A GoFundMe campaign titled “Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey” was launched this week to help ease the financial strain on the family and provide specialist rehabilitation support once she is well enough to begin recovery. Organisers say the aim is to give her “the best possible chance of getting back to the sport she loves.”

Within days, donations had climbed above £5,000, with contributions pouring in from fellow surfers, local residents, beach communities and well-wishers across Pembrokeshire and beyond. Messages on the page describe Delphi as “a rising star”, “full of promise”, and “a lovely young girl who lights up the line-up.”

A spokesperson for the fundraiser said: “Delphi has big dreams for her surfing future. This accident has knocked her world off its axis, but with proper rehab and support she has every chance of coming back strong. We’re incredibly grateful for every donation, message and share.”

The Herald understands the family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support during what they describe as the worst week of their lives.

The GoFundMe page can be found here for those wishing to donate or share the campaign: Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey.

A BARGOED man who used his car workshop as a front for large-scale drug distribution has been jailed for almost ten years — with links to supply routes reaching into West Wales, including Pembrokeshire, The Herald understands.

Thirty-seven-year-old Peter Ian Yandell, from Bargoed, was arrested at his business premises on 11 June after officers from Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, executed a warrant at his Tredegar vehicle workshop. Investigators found that Yandell had been using the business as a cover for the wholesale movement of controlled drugs.

A search of the premises uncovered significant quantities of Class A and Class B drugs, specialist equipment used to manufacture illicit substances, and an imitation firearm.

His mobile phone was seized at the scene. Subsequent analysis uncovered extensive evidence of large-scale supply operations across South Wales, including communication patterns and distribution activity indicative of a wider network reaching beyond the Valleys.

The Herald understands that this network included the movement of cocaine and cannabis into West Wales — including Pembrokeshire — as part of a broader regional supply chain.

Yandell pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and possession of an imitation firearm. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to nine years and ten months for the offences, with a further two months added for breaching a suspended sentence.

Detective Constable Rhys Richards, of Tarian ROCU, said: “This operation dismantled a sophisticated drug production setup that was responsible for supplying harmful substances into communities across the region.

“Yandell attempted to hide his criminal enterprise behind a legitimate business, but the evidence recovered – in particular from his mobile phone – revealed the true extent of his offending.

“This investigation demonstrates Tarian’s continued commitment to exposing and disrupting organised criminality. We will work tirelessly to protect the public and ensure that those who profit from the supply of illicit commodities are brought before the courts.”

MS seeks evidence as Pembrokeshire businesses report dramatic jumps

LOCAL businesses across Pembrokeshire are reporting unprecedented increases in their rateable values, with some facing rises of up to four hundred per cent. In response, local Member of the Senedd and Shadow Economy Minister Samuel Kurtz has launched an investigation to gather evidence, testimonies and real-world impact statements from those affected.

The 2025 revaluation of non-domestic properties in Wales — carried out to reflect current open-market rental values — has resulted in steep jumps for a significant number of premises. While some adjustments have been modest, a growing number of firms say their valuations have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled, raising concerns about job losses, cancelled investment and long-term viability.

Kurtz is now urging any business experiencing sharp increases to come forward. His investigation will compile previous and current rateable values, together with any impact on staffing, investment plans and future operations. He has already spoken with business owners at a recent advice surgery in Pembroke Dock and intends to hold a wider business roundtable in the coming weeks.

“No business should be punished for a revaluation they had no control over,” said Kurtz. “If rateable values have soared — in some cases by 300–400 per cent — I want to hear from those affected. Their stories must be heard. I’ll take this evidence straight to the Senedd and fight for fairer business rates.

“At a time when businesses are already feeling squeezed by rising costs, this new bill threatens not only the survival of our high street retailers, it affects all those operating in leisure and hospitality, industrial workshops and tourism.”

Kurtz said he had recently spoken to a hospitality business owner now facing an additional £8,000 a month. “The pressure and stress of this latest rate hike is huge for those affected, and I fear this may be the final straw for many. I want to do all I can to help fight alongside those businesses,” he added.

Businesses wishing to share their experience can contact the campaign at www.samuelkurtz.com/campaigns/business-owners

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