Local accountant Jim Cornock, who is a partner with  the Ashmole & Co accountancy firm, is clocking up the miles this month in readiness for his toughest running challenge to date when he runs the London Marathon to raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care. 

The marathon comes hot on the heels of last week’s Newport marathon which he completed as part of his training, and the Marathon Eryri which he ran last autumn.

Jim is no stranger to  running but is more familiar with the half marathon distance rather than a full marathon. He has agreed to take on London’s  26.2 mile challenge for the first time on Sunday, April 27, to help raise funds for Ashmole &  Co’s chosen charity for this year.  But it also has a special meaning for him personally.

Jim said, “Tenovus Cancer Care provides so much support for people with cancer. This one is personal for me as my mum passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of just 61. I have no doubt there were times when she wanted to just turn around and go home but like thousands of others facing a cancer diagnosis, she couldn’t. That is what keeps me going during my training runs. I felt like turning back lots of times recently when I was  out on my longest runs,but I kept remembering why I’m doing this.”

Jim has worked for Ashmole & Co for the past 31 years and became a partner in the Ammanford office in 2004. He currently works out of the Haverfordwest, Ammanford, Llandeilo and Llandovery offices. 

Married to Pamela, the couple have  two children Rosie and Owen, and Owen will be running the London Marathon alongside his dad for support, although Jim suspects his son might well leave him behind when the going gets tough.

“Taking part in the London Marathon will bring to a close Ashmole & Co’s 12 months of fundraising for Tenovus Cancer Care,” added Jim, “ and  I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my endless training during this time. It means a lot.”

Tenovus Cancer Care are a Wales-based charity which gives help, hope and a voice to everyone affected by cancer. 

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Jim’s London Marathon  can do so on the Justgiving link.

A CARMARTHENSHIRE business has this week been announced as a finalist for the Wales Business Awards 2025 by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid.

Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors across Wales entered to be in with a chance of winning a prestigious accolade, with 50 companies named as finalists across 12 categories.

Whitland-based consultancy Landsker Business Solutions has secured a spot on the shortlist for Professional Services Firm of the Year.

The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne and sponsored by Bevan Buckland LLP, on 12 June at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff. One finalist will also be awarded ‘Wales Business of the Year’ during the ceremony.

Gus Williams, interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The Wales Business Awards are an exciting showcase for the successes and achievements of the very best of Welsh business. We were thrilled to have received hundreds of fantastic entries this year, highlighting the innovation, creativity and ambitions of companies across the country.

“We are looking forward to celebrating our incredible finalists at our ceremony in June, together with members of the Welsh business community, distinguished dignitaries and ministers including Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP.”

THOUSANDS of people on low incomes across Wales have secured an extra £170m by claiming benefits they didn’t know they were entitled to, thanks to free Welsh Government advice services.

The Claim What’s Yours helpline connects people with friendly advisers who help cut through the confusion of the benefits system. For many who call, including working families, new parents and pensioners, it’s their first time claiming benefits, with many surprised to learn they qualify for financial help.

With around £2bn in benefits going unclaimed in Wales each year; the Single Advice Fund and Claim What’s Yours services have helped 361,000 people to deal with their social welfare problems and to claim £170m of benefits they were entitled to, and write off £49.1m in debts from January 2020 to December 2024.

The services have seen growing demand, with advisers handling over 6,500 calls in the past six months alone – showing how valued the service has become.

Colette Smith, Advice Project Worker at Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taf, has helped hundreds of callers navigate the benefits system. She said: “Every day I speak to people who are genuinely struggling but have no idea they’re entitled to extra support. I recently took a call from a person who was really struggling to make ends meet, on the call I identified that the person was able to claim Pension Credits which meant they were entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. We helped the client to make the claims and they felt so much better and could now see a way forward.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “With billions in benefits going unclaimed each year, it’s clear that too many people don’t know that they are eligible for support. When someone successfully claims pension credit, carer’s allowance or other benefits they’re entitled to, it can mean the difference between struggling and stability, and helps reduce stress and improve their wellbeing.

“The service provides friendly, professional and confidential advice and could make a significant difference to your household budget. If you’re unsure whether you qualify for support, I encourage you to make that phone call and find out what help might be available to you.”

Anyone wanting free, confidential advice can call Advicelink Cymru’s Claim What’s Yours helpline on 0808 250 5700 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Calls are welcomed in English or Welsh, and help is available for those who cannot hear or speak on the phone through the Relay UK service