Community

Lifeguard helps deliver training in Philippines

Published

12 years ago

March 31, 2014

LIFEGUARD trainers from the RNLI have travelled to the Philippines to begin delivering a lifesaving tuition course, aiming to help save hundreds of people from drowning there each year.

Chris Rigby, from Pembrokeshire, is one of two of the charity’s instructors to travel to the Camotes Islands, where they will spend five days delivering lifeguard training to 26 candidates, before spending an additional three days teaching ‘train the trainer’ skills to ten of them.

Chris travelled to the Philippines last week, ready to start the lifesaving training programme from March 17. The candidates represent a variety of organisations across the Philippines – from lifesaving clubs and Coastguard departments to fire service, police and local government – but all have a shared need; to be able to save lives in water.

The course, which has been specially designed by the RNLI, will cover the essentials of lifeguarding, including recognising when a person is in distress; how to use rescue equipment; beach surveillance; risk assessments, and rescuing and treating a casualty.

After the training, the candidates will return to their respective areas of the Philippines better equipped to save lives from drowning. Those who have received the ‘train the trainer’ tuition will also have the skills to share their learning with others, so they can continue growing and developing their organisations into the future.

Steve Wills, the RNLI’s international development manager, explains: “Drowning is sadly a common occurrence in the Philippines. Many drowning deaths are preventable if there are trained lifesavers on hand to respond quickly and take the right action to carry out rescues and save lives.

“The course our trainers will deliver covers the absolute essentials of lifeguarding. Our priority is that we leave the candidates better equipped with knowledge and skills to save lives and, importantly, carry on developing the lifesaving abilities of their own organisations into the future.”

Before starting the 7000 mile journey Chris Rigby, South Wales RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, said: “It’s a real honour to join the RNLI’s International Team and being able to help tackle the global drowning epidemic. I am eager to make the 7000 mile journey to the Philippines and put the lifesaving and training skills the RNLI have taught and equipped me with into practise in what will be a completely different environment compared to my day-to-day work in Pembrokeshire.”

In a planned approach to tackling the estimated 400,000 drownings that happen worldwide each year, the RNLI is also helping develop lifesaving services in other countries where drowning is prevalent, including Bangladesh, Uganda, Cameroon, Tanzania, Senegal and the Gambia.

The charity is focusing on helping other organisations to help themselves by providing a range of services such as training, safety education, and guidance on search and rescue and flood resilience.

For further information see www.rnli.org/international.

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).