Community

Christmas delight for Pembrokeshire groups thanks to National Lottery success

Published

4 years ago

December 26, 2021

THREE community groups in Pembrokeshire are celebrating an early Christmas this year with the news that they have been successful in receiving National Lottery grants.

Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity will use £100,000 over three years to establish a new bereavement support service for children under six years old, and to expand the existing Sandy Bear service for six- to eleven-year-olds in Pembrokeshire. The grant will help increase volunteer numbers and deliver professional training to provide greater capacity to meet an increasing demand for services.

Ceri Crichton, Charity Development Lead at Sandy Bear, said: “The National Lottery Community Fund award of £100,000 has secured our new Sandy Cubs service for the next 3 years, supporting babies, toddlers, young children and their families when faced with one of life’s most devastating losses – the death of a significant loved one. This means that through the award, Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity can offer support to bereaved children, young people and their families throughout  their entire childhood and teenage years, if they need us. 

“We want to express our thanks and gratitude to the National Lottery players who are making a huge difference in our children’s lives that we serve. We are dedicated to helping children and teenagers through their grief journey and this is made possible because of you.”

Elsewhere in the area, Tanyard Youth Project Ltd will use £6,355 to continue running their BESPOKE project to support young people with mobility issues who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, Milford Youth Matters will use £7,220 to run a programme of school holiday activities for young people, to help bring people together and reduce anti-social behaviour.

John Rose, Wales Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “These groups’ work is a clear example of our belief that communities thrive when people are in the lead. More than £30 million a week is raised for good causes across the UK thanks to National Lottery players. We’re delighted to fund their amazing work.”

The groups are among 60 across Wales to receive a total of £3.7 million in the past month.

To find information on applying to The National Lottery Community Fund for funding to help your community thrive, visit tnlcommunityfund.org.uk or call 0300 123 0735.  

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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)