Community
Housing Provider picks two Important Causes as its Charities of the Year
WALES & WEST HOUSING ASSOCIATION has chosen the Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes as its charities of the year.
The two important causes will benefit from funds raised by staff during a two-year period after over 850 staff were invited to nominate charities that were close to their hearts.
A shortlist was drawn up of the most popular suggestions and staff voted for their preferred charity.
Diane Barnes, Senior Administrator at Wales & West Housing said: “The Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes Wales had the most support.
“One of the staff members who nominated Wales Air Ambulance had personal experience of the service when one of the older residents living at the housing scheme she manages was taken ill. Wales Air Ambulance flew the resident to hospital and our staff member was in no doubt that the speed of the service was critical in saving the person’s life, so we are delighted to be able to support the Charity’s vital work.”
This will not be the first time that Wales & West Housing has raised funds for the Wales Air Ambulance, they raised more than £6,000 in 2006.
Some of the other charities they have supported in recent years include Cancer Research Wales, Stroke Association, Help For Heroes, Alzheimer’s Society, NSPCC, Tenovus and Guide Dogs.
Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’.
The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.
Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.
Speaking on how valuable the company thinks the lifesaving service is, Diane added: “Wales Air Ambulance is hugely important. It saves lives every single day of the year. When we learned that the service relies entirely on public donations to keep their emergency helicopters flying to all parts of Wales, our staff were keen to help support the Charity and make a difference to its fundraising for the next two years.”
The staff kicked off its fundraising with an Easter egg raffle which raised more than £400.
Diane said: “We also have people running marathons, doing sponsored challenges and baking cakes over the coming months and are looking forward to many other innovative and fun fundraising ideas and suggestions that we can take part in and support over the next two years. We also asked staff to donate the odd number of pennies from their pay to our charity. This way we can raise thousands of pounds every year without having to do anything!
“In the past we have held regular raffles in our offices, bake sales, dress down days and special events such as a Ride the Nation charity cycling challenge from North to South Wales and a rugby tournament, which helped to raise money for a previous staff charity Age Cymru.”
Katie Macro, Campaigns Manager for the Wales Air Ambulance said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been chosen as one of Wales & West Housing’s charities of the year for the next two years. Support from businesses like Wales & West Housing is vital in helping us to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.
“It sounds like Wales & West Housing have some exciting fundraising plans coming up and we wish them well. Their support of our lifesaving charity is much appreciated.”
There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com
Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711. For more information on Wales & West Housing visit www.wwha.co.uk
POLICE have issued an urgent update in the search for two missing teenagers from Ceredigion, following a confirmed sighting in Aberystwyth.
Isabelle and Daniel, both 16, were reported missing on Monday (April 7) and are believed to have been travelling together across Wales. The latest confirmed sighting was on Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, at 12:30pm on Friday (April 11).
It is believed they boarded the T1 bus, which departed the town at 12:36pm.
Isabelle is described as 5ft 3in tall and usually has blonde hair, though she may have dyed it a darker colour. She was last seen wearing a black parka-style coat with a fur-lined hood, grey jogging bottoms, and carrying a large black backpack.
Daniel is 6ft 1in tall with short dark brown hair and shaved sides. In the latest sighting, he was wearing a black baseball cap with white markings, dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and a black collared coat. He was carrying a large black, red, and grey camping backpack.
Both teenagers are believed to have taken spare clothes and camping equipment with them. Police say they may now be wearing different clothing.
Isabelle and Daniel have known connections to Gloucestershire, Merseyside, and North Wales, and their families are growing increasingly concerned for their welfare.
Officers are urging anyone who has seen the pair or has information about their whereabouts to get in touch immediately.
Information can be submitted via the following methods:
| Dyfed-Powys Police website
| Email: 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk
| Direct message Dyfed-Powys Police on social media
| Call 101 and quote reference 141 of April 7
A 26-year-old man has been reported missing in Thailand after his family lost contact with him more than eight weeks ago.
Daniel Davies was last seen on March 13 on Phi Phi Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand. He had been staying at the Hangover Hostel in Bangkok prior to his disappearance.
A missing person report has been filed with Dyfed-Powys Police, and the case is now listed under reference number DP-20250329-215.
Daniel is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and a beard. He also has tattoo sleeves on both arms.
Echoes of the Lost – a national missing persons initiative – has now joined the appeal alongside SARS Cymru, urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement, they said: “Daniel, if you happen to see this post, please get in contact with your family. They are worried. If you wish to message us to pass information along, please feel free to do so.”
His aunt, Nicola Doran, has been sharing emotional appeals online, writing: “My nephew Daniel Davies, 26, from Llanelli – he’s gone missing in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s been reported and is now a missing person. No one has had any contact in weeks.”
Friends and family have been spreading the appeal across social media, hoping someone in Thailand may have seen him. One post reads: “Can all my mates out in Thailand, Bangkok area, please share this and keep eyes out for my lil’ kuzen – he’s been missing 8 weeks over there.”
Daniel’s disappearance has been reported to Thai police, and the UK Foreign Office is understood to be aware of the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or calling 101, quoting reference DP-20250329-215.
DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued new photos in the search for Isabelle and Daniel, who are both aged 16 and have been reported missing from their homes in the Cardigan area on Monday April 7, 2025.
Enquiries have led to a new confirmed sighting of them both at Llandunno train station at 8.20pm on Monday, where they asked for directions to the Dolgellau area.
Isobel is described as 5ft 3 and usually has blonde hair, however she may have dyed her hair to a darker colour. She was last seen wearing a black parker style coat with fur edge, grey jogging bottoms, carrying a large black backpack.
Daniel is described to be 6ft 1 with short dark brown hair, with shaved sides. He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans, black t-shirt, and a black collared coat, carrying a large camping backpack, which is black, red and grey.
Both are believed to have taken a change of clothes with them and may now be wearing something different.
It is believed that they have taken camping equipment with them and have connections to the Gloucestershire, Merseyside and North Wales areas.
Their families are increasingly concerned for their safety and welfare and eagerly await their safe return home.
DI Rebecca Thomas said: “We are continuing our search to find Isobel and Daniel. “We know that they purchased camping equipment but they have left their homes without any communication and their family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned as they have had no contact with Isabelle and Daniel for almost a week. “It is also know that they don’t have their mobile phones on them.
“I would ask anyone who has seen them to get in touch.
“I would especially appeal to Isabelle and Daniel to get in touch with the police or family so we can ensure that they are safe.”
If you have seen Isabelle and Daniel, or have information about their whereabouts, please, let us know:
️ | https://bit.ly/DPPmissingperson
| 
| 101
Quote reference 141 of April 7
Teen denies knife threat but admits damaging mum’s property
A HAVERFORDWEST teenager has denied threatening a man with a kitchen knife and carrying the weapon in public—but admitted damaging...
Former Welsh Secretary awarded peerage in Sunak’s resignation honours
Carmarthenshire politician among those elevated to House of Lords FORMER Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart has been...
‘Bitter disappointment’: Wales left out of UK steel rescue
Emergency bill to save Scunthorpe reignites anger over Port Talbot closure WELSH politicians from across the political spectrum have accused...
Tenby mobile signal branded ‘worse than the 1990s’ as coverage complaints grow
TENBY residents and traders are once again raising the alarm about poor mobile phone coverage, as the town enters another...
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service
WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a...
Appeal launched as Welsh teenagers missing for nearly a week
POLICE have launched an appeal after two teenagers from Wales went missing almost a week ago. Isobel and Daniel, both...
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
A MAN from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a baby. Rhydian Jamieson, aged...
Steel nationalisation talks ‘unfair on Wales’, says Plaid
PLAID CYMRU has accused the UK government of failing to support Welsh steel communities equally, after it emerged that nationalisation...
Teen drug dealers admit handgun plot — Mercedes crash youth facing jail
TWO teenagers have now fully admitted being involved in cocaine dealing and conspiring to obtain a handgun — including a...
Teaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
Boy shut himself in to avoid assembly A CLASSROOM assistant used a 20p coin to unlock a toilet cubicle and...
-
Crime7 days agoMilford man banned from roads after driving with drugs in system
-
Crime5 days ago
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby
-
Crime5 days agoBroad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage
-
Education6 days ago
Teaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
-
News4 days agoA40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle
-
Crime7 days agoMilford man denies GBH assault on ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandfather
-
Business2 days agoMilford Haven and Pembroke Dock among top towns in Wales for sex toy sales
-
Health22 hours agoPembrokeshire ‘Pink Puffins’ race the Cleddau thanks to local vet’s vision