News

Bute Energy announces charity partnerships to make an impact that matters in Wales

Published

3 years ago

April 5, 2023

BUTE ENERGY says that it is proud to be supporting The DPJ Foundation and St David’s Hospice Care as its official charities, for a partnership that will be in place for three years.

This launches the first charity partnership project at Bute Energy, which aims to help people right across Wales through key themes of support, including mental health, rural support, cost of living and hospices. The charities will benefit from a full package of support, and the partnership is of mutual benefit to all parties. Both charities will also help staff at Bute Energy improve wellbeing and sense of connection to the community.

The team at Bute Energy nominated 19 charities they felt passionate about to be a potential charity partner for the company. A shortlist was created based on alignment with the organisations themes and each charity was invited to apply. Votes were counted to select the successful two:-

The DPJ Foundation, based in Carmarthen and work right across Wales. The charity support those in the agricultural sector with poor mental health by providing support, spreading awareness and training those in farming to be aware of poor mental health and its impact within communities.

St David’s Foundation Hospice Care, based in Newport. They provide a range of services to patients and their families throughout their journey of terminal illness. A holistic, family support approach is available from point of referral onwards. Services are offered free of charge throughout Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and within South and Mid Powys for people facing a progressive life-limiting illness which is no longer curable.

Catryn Newton, Community Benefit Director at Bute Energy, said: “Our goal is to ensure we work closely with people right across Wales to identify the areas where there’s a need to deliver direct benefits. It’s our pleasure to welcome our selected charities to the Bute Energy family, as we work alongside them to identify and help them access skills through volunteering, staff fundraising and financial support for their projects. Our team are eager to start volunteering with the chosen charities, as well as providing skilled support, assisting with grant applications, social media activity and business planning, to name but a few.

“Partnering with organisations and communities in the locations in which we operate is important to us, and working with our charity partners not only give our staff the opportunity to support their communities, but it also helps us develop our knowledge, enabling us to deliver more inclusive community benefits to groups, charities and organisations in Wales.”

Kate Miles, Charity Manager at The DPJ Foundation, added: “The DPJ Foundation is really pleased to have been chosen by Bute Energy staff as one of their charities that they will fundraise for over the coming three years. For a small charity like the DPJ Foundation, being chosen means we will have the opportunity to reach more people with our lifesaving service, as every pound raised makes a real difference. It will also allow more people to find out about the work that we do with the agricultural community in Wales and has already started more conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

“At the DPJ Foundation, we support people in agriculture who are struggling with their mental health through our confidential Share the Load helpline and counselling service. It costs us around £1,000 a month to run the telephone and text helplines, which is why we are so pleased to have been selected as one of the charities that Bute Energy staff will be supporting. We have heard some of the great ideas that Bute staff have come up with for raising money for us and the other chosen charities, so are excited to see what they will do.”

Emma Saysell, Chief Executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We are thankful to Bute Energy for selecting us as one of their charities for a three-year partnership which allow us to forge a great working relationship to not only raise funds but also educate the staff on our many free services that we provide locally to patients and their families. We are aware that staff have their own innovative fundraising ideas which we look forward to hearing more about, as well as encouraging the team to look at our extensive calendar of events that we organise.”

Bute Energy is based in Wales and is acting now to tackle the climate emergency, energy crisis, and cost-of-living crisis, by powering Wales with clean, green energy. Bute Energy’s Community Benefits Team are leading on delivering Community Benefits under five themes – Cost of living support, Recreation & Health, Education, Environment & Culture, and Employability. The company’s investment in this area demonstrates the commitment to maximising the benefits for Welsh communities, with above industry standard levels of financial support.

To read more about Bute Energy, visit the website, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

8 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

23 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)