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Tickets go on sale for Pride Festival
MEET the three famous Welsh faces supporting Pride Cymru 2014 – Wales’ largest celebration of equality and diversity.
Welsh actress, Lu Corfield best known for playing Freya Wilson in BBC One’s soap opera ‘Doctors’, is the latest addition to those backing Pride Cymru. Lu Corfield said she was honoured when asked to become a Patron. “Having grown up in Wales and as a keen advocate for LGBT rights, this is an event that literally hits close to home. I am incredibly proud to support an organisation that strives tirelessly to secure a future where there is genuine equality for all.” In an interview with Digital Spy, in March 2012, Lu announced that she was bisexual and proud of her sexuality. She works regularly with young adults and teenagers in workshops designed to stamp out abuse and encourage acceptance. She also recently appeared in the Diversity Role Models Calendar to show her support for the prevention of homophobic bullying in UK schools. Ian ‘H’ Watkins, the former star of million-record selling pop sensation Steps has also become a Patron for the charity organisation Welsh singer and actor, Ian ‘H’ Watkins commented: “This event is very close to heart and I am thrilled to be asked to be a patron. Pride Cymru does amazing work tackling homophobia and hate crime.” In a personal account filmed for BBC Wales’ Week In – Week Out, Ian described growing up gay in the Rhondda ‘a nightmare’, and came out while entering Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, with stars such as Jade Goody and Shilpa Shetty. Pride Cymru Trustee member, Lisa Power said: “Ian understands what it’s like to be a young LGBT person growing up in Wales. His successful entertainment career shows that you can realise your dreams, whoever you are and wherever you start from. He and Steps have done a lot to support LGBT causes over the years and he’s a great role model. We hope to welcome him to the Parade and Event this year.” International rugby referee, Nigel Owens who has been a Patron for the organisation in recent years is also proud to show his continuing support. Nigel has campaigned to stamp out sexual discrimination in sport since coming out as gay in 2007. Nigel Owens, said: “The new name of the LGBT Mardi Gras event shows that we’ve achieved so much in Wales in terms of equality. We’ve still got a way to go, but we’re getting there. The event is like a rugby match, when I got up on that stage last year you could see and hear the crowds roar. That’s Welsh pride right there. Pride Cymru really unites all types of communities together. No matter who you are. It’s a brilliant day out for all and I’m extremely proud to be part of it by showing my continuing support.” Previous Patrons include television producer Russell T. Davies, singer Charlotte Church and rugby player Gareth Thomas. Pride Cymru (previously known as Cardiff Mardi Gras) returns to the grounds of Coopers Field, Cardiff on Saturday 16th August 2014, kicking off midday with an impressive line-up of live main stage acts, including British boy band Union J, Big Reunion’s 90s girl group, Eternal, Misha B, Nicki French and local indie artists and cabaret performances that represent the last four decades of smash hits. The inaugural parade will also return for its third year running, themed as ‘Welsh Pride is…’ to embrace the festival’s new name. Advanced tickets for Pride Cymru are on sale at: http:// seetickets.com/go/PrideCymru14 Pride Cymru (Cardiff-Wales LGBT Mardi Gras) is in its fourteenth year running. It costs over £250,000 to stage the event, part funded by sponsors, managed by a group of volunteers. As a registered charity, the core aim of the celebration is to combat homophobic and transphobic hate crime to make Wales a safe place for all.
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Funding secured for volunteering support at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home

PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home, a Pembrokeshire-based charity, is delighted to announce that they were recently awarded £29,814.00 by the Pembrokeshire County Council Enhancing Pembrokeshire Scheme. The charity has been awarded a grant to develop the “We Care: Volunteering Support” project, which will improve the volunteer infrastructure and support the volunteer community.
The project will combat issues around Second Home ownership by increasing community engagement and opportunities to connect people through training, open days, new social events and wider community outreach and communication. The first phase of the project has been completed with the successful recruitment of Eleanor Evans, the We Care: Project Officer. Eleanor joins this part of the charity, on a secondment basis, and brings a wealth of
experience, not only within the charity but also working with volunteers throughout the county.
The charity has experienced challenges over the last 12 months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new project will enhance the existing volunteer structure within the charity, develop incentives to increase volunteer engagement; support volunteers by providing increased training opportunities and develop a new social culture to decrease loneliness and isolation. Recognising that the pandemic has been a difficult time for many, improving and increasing community communication will also be a key aim.
Furthermore, the Sartori Stores throughout Pembrokeshire, have been through a difficult year, closing, opening and closing again. Most volunteers have gracefully assisted the charity, often at the drop of a hat, to open the stores.
Unfortunately, the charity has witnessed a decrease in the number of available volunteers to help, due to the pandemic. So therefore, another key objective will be to recruit and train more volunteers to assist in generating vital income and supporting areas within the clinical services.
“I am very excited to join this area of the charity and am looking forward to this new role. Having worked within the retail sector previously, I know how a lack of volunteers within a store can have a detrimental effect on the opening days and times. This will be where I will be concentrating my recruitment efforts on initially,” stated Eleanor Evans, We: Care Project Officer.
“Here at Paul Sartori we work hard to deliver a rewarding volunteer experience – we
ensure that adequate training is given to all volunteers. Our managers provide training and invest time with our volunteers to ensure they have the skills to work in many areas across the charity. Our stores can be a very busy, fast-paced environment, which offers a great opportunity for the environmentally conscious individual who wishes to help out a local charity selling pre-loved goods,” added Eleanor.
Cllr Bob Kilmister, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said the Council were pleased to support Paul Sartori deliver their We Care: Volunteering Support project.
“This project will add to the wide range of essential services Paul Sartori already provide to people in Pembrokeshire, improve their volunteer infrastructure and support the volunteer community,” he said.
“This is such a difficult time for charities and local organisations to maintain their services and volunteer activities and it is important to support them to strengthen their volunteer base, especially at this time when Covid is increasing the incidence of isolation and loneliness.”
The Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant, using funds raised via the Second Homes Tax is available to provide funding for new projects that help address the negative impact of second homes and in doing so adds value to our communities.
“This grant has come at a good time for the charity. Assisting our valued volunteers; recruiting more active volunteers and investing more in our existing training programme will ensure that the charity is financially sustained for many years to come,” said Judith Williams, Grants Coordinator at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.
Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, under 18’s anticipatory grief and bereavement support, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training.
The services provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish. All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community. Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.
News
Police at scene of RTC – officers seeking witnesses

POLICE in Milford Haven are making door to door enquiries in the Great North Road area following an accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle.
It is understood that CCTV in the area was not pointing in the right direction so police are appealing for help with the case.
There is still a large police presence in the area as of 11.20am this morning (Feb 26).
MORE TO FOLLOW…
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Crime Commissioner continues to secure funding for organisations that support victims of domestic and sexual violence

THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police is again making the offer for organisations that support victims of domestic and sexual abuse to bid for additional funds.
Funding was made available last year, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on organisations supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence.
It was part of a £76 million package of support made available by the UK Government.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Thanks to this additional funding, we can ensure that victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in Dyfed-Powys can access specialist services for support, at a time when they are needed the most.
“Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in domestic violence during the pandemic and victims need help now more than ever and I am grateful for the work of all the service providers across the Force area that help these men, women and families who are most in need.
“I want to reassure anyone who is in an abusive situation or relationship that you do not need to suffer in silence, and I urge anyone to report abuse to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“This funding is open both to providers whom I currently commission and those that I do not currently fund. However, unlike the extraordinary Covid-19 funding provided in 2020/21, organisations do not need to be a registered charity, a charitable incorporated organisation, or a social enterprise to be eligible for this funding. They must, however, provide support services which have the purpose of helping victims of sexual violence or domestic abuse cope with the impacts of crime and, as far as possible, recover from the harm they have experienced. We would also encourage applications from small specialist organisations that support groups with protected characteristics.
“If you wish to submit a request for this funding, further guidance is available on my website, and can be requested via the office e-mail address.”
Closing date for submissions is close of play on Friday, March 12, 2021.
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