Charity

Ascona launches new partnership with the Wales Air Ambulance

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2023

ASCONA, the Pembrokeshire-based UK wide forecourt operator, says it is delighted to announce that the Wales Air Ambulance will be its charity partner for the 2023/24 financial year.

To celebrate this new partnership, Ascona says it has made an initial donation of £10,000.

Over the next 12 months, 25p donations will be available to be paid via card machines across all of their sites in Wales and Ascona has committed to match each donation up to total value of £50,000. In addition, the Wales Air Ambulance will share in the proceeds of Nisa Retail’s ‘Making a Difference Locally’ fund, which is expected to amount to a further £10,000 in contributions from purchases made at Ascona sites in Wales. Ascona anticipates raising over £100,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance by the end of the 2023/24 financial year, through all of the proposed fundraising activities.

The partnership will help to support the Wales Air Ambulance in their mission to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales, whenever and wherever they need it. The service relies entirely on charitable donations to raise the necessary £8 million in funds to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the roads across Wales.

Darren Briggs, Chief Executive of Ascona Group told Herald.Wales: “Since we started Ascona back in 2011, supporting our local communities has been central to our culture so we are proud to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity in their vital work as they continue to deliver lifesaving medical care to people across Wales.

“Over the years, we have raised and donated over £200,000 for many different charities that help Welsh communities and their people and with the Wales Air Ambulance as our charity partner for the next 12 months, we are truly excited to make a difference to such an iconic charity.”

Siany Martin, Corporate Fundraiser at the Wales Air Ambulance, added: “We are delighted that Ascona has selected us as their charity of the year. Despite the vital work our people carry out on a daily basis, we receive no direct funding so we truly rely on the support from the people of Wales to make sure we can continue to serve them. Together with the rest of the team, I’d like to thank Darren and everyone at Ascona for their most generous donation and continued support.”

Charity

Peter’s walk for veterans suffering from mental health issues

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON Saturday, March 30, Peter Kraus undertook a 15.6-mile walk from Front Street in Pembroke Dock to Carew Castle to support veterans struggling with mental health issues and PTSD.

Originally believing the route to be 10 miles, Kraus faced a greater challenge than anticipated. He organized the walk through the Combat Stress Site, aiming to raise £1000. “They look after us and keep us safe,” Kraus told The Herald, expressing his effort as a gesture of gratitude towards the veterans.

Charity

New Quay RNLI’s inshore lifeboat rescues stranded 26ft yacht

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW QUAY RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched on service at 08:32 this morning to assist a 26ft yacht in difficulty a quarter of a mile from New Quay harbour.

Launching with four volunteer crew members, the D-class lifeboat, the Will Morgan, quickly located the vessel, with one person on board.

Simon Rigby, New Quay RNLI’s helm said, “The yacht had lost all means of propulsion, both sail and engine, and was unable to recover a fouled anchor.

“Having assessed the situation we decided that the best course of action was to take the vessel under tow to New Quay harbour. We placed two members of our crew on board, disconnected the anchor chain and began the tow.

“Having safely berthed the yacht alongside the harbour wall, we returned to station just after 09:30.”

Charity

New Quay RNLI stalwart volunteer receives award from High Sheriff of Dyfed

Published

4 days ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RECENTLY, a long-standing member of New Quay RNLI, Tim Richards received an award from the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Professor Medwin Hughes for valuable services to the community.

The High Sheriff Awards are a mark of distinction and recognition given to volunteers, groups and public servants based in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire who are making a significant contribution to society through enhancing safety and cohesion in our communities.

Stalwart volunteer of New Quay RNLI from shore crew to fundraising, Tim has been part of the crew for over 16 years and has held many positions from shore crew to Chair of New Quay RNLI Fundraising Group including working overseas but always returning to New Quay RNLI.

Tim, aged 74, said, “I was truly honoured to receive my services to the community award from The High Sheriff of Dyfed, Professor Hughes. I’ve been part of New Quay RNLI for over 16 years and encourage anyone to take part. It’s a great institution to be involved with. I’ve always had strong connections to the sea being a keen kayaker and boatman and I’ll continue to support New Quay RNLI as being a volunteer and saving lives at sea is deeply rooted in me.”

Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager added, “We would also like to congratulate Tim for his well-deserved award and thank him for all his hard work over the years with the New Quay RNLI crew and with the New Quay RNLI fundraising group. It’s volunteers like Tim who are an integral part of the organisation and ensure the RNLI can continue to save lives at sea.”