Community

Civil servant scoops £84k Porsche hybrid and £40,000 cash in online competition

Published

4 years ago

October 17, 2021

A CIVIL servant from Pembrokeshire will be the envy of motorists across the UK after scooping an £84,000 Porsche hybrid plus £40,000 in cash with leading online competitions company BOTB.

Dan Lewis, 42, who lives in Milford Haven, was working from home when BOTB’s Christian Williams video called to tell him he was this week’s Dream Car Competition winner and the new owner of a Porsche Panamera 4 e-Hybrid which can be charged on his driveway.

“Oh my God,” he said. “Happy days!”

Dan, who paid just £2 for his ticket to enter the competition, revealed he and his partner, Gemma, 34, have been playing BOTB for more than a year and always see who can get the closest in the Spot the Ball competition.

“I’m definitely closer this week,” he laughed. “I saw this car in the line up and I thought it would be brilliant – especially given the fuel crisis at the moment.

“Gemma always goes for the same car, an Aston Martin, but I always have a look at the line up and choose depending how I feel on the day. This one is just perfect!”

And with fuel economy currently on everyone’s minds, Dan’s choice of the Panamera couldn’t have come at a better time.

The e-Hybrid has the ability to do 113mpg and has 456bhp under the bonnet, including 33 miles on electric charge alone.

Dan and Gemma, who have five children, both work atthe Department for Work and Pensions as civil servants.

And the surprise wasn’t finished there as it wasn’t just the car that Dan scooped in the competition, as Christian revealed £40,000 waiting for him in the boot!

“Do I have to tell Gemma about the money?” he laughed. “The money will go a long way for us. We need to get a deposit together for a house so this will be a huge help there. The rest I’ll have to think about – it’s a lot of money!”

BOTB hands over the keys to two stunning cars each week as well as the lifestyle prize. Other recent winners have bagged a quad bike, a holiday to the Arctic and £15,000 in cash.

The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £44m worth of cars so far.

BOTB presenter Christian Williams said: “I love my job getting to surprise the lucky BOTB winners each week and this week was no different when we got to goto giveDan the good news he was this week’s winner. I love that he and hiswife Gemma play BOTB together and I’m delighted for both of them – massive congratulations again!”

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

16 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

16 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).