News
Dragon collaborates with Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal
DRAGON LNG Group has told The Herald it is delighted to announce its charity of the year for the period from April 2023 to March 2024. Following a nomination process within the Dragon team, 14 notable charities from Pembrokeshire were selected, and a vote determined the recipient. The Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal emerged as the chosen charity, garnering an impressive 33% of the votes. Established in 2009, this registered charity operates entirely with the assistance of volunteers. Its primary objective is to raise funds that will be invested in essential facilities and equipment for the Cancer Day Unit in Haverfordwest, where a dedicated team of clinicians and nurses provide invaluable support and healthcare services to cancer patients in Pembrokeshire.
To ensure that the unit’s requirements are met, the charity exclusively supplies equipment that is specifically requested by the hospital staff. This year, the Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal successfully replaced 12 treatment room chairs with brand-new, highly adaptable chairs at a cost of £36,000. These chairs are designed to provide enhanced comfort to patients during their treatment. Additionally, the charity recently procured a state-of-the-art ‘vein finder’ device, significantly reducing the stress and pain associated with cannulation. Ongoing support from the charity includes funding for skills development in haematology, as well as financial assistance for a counselling service catering to cancer patients.
In addition to their work within the unit, the charity has also launched a dedicated website, www.kipp.tips, aimed at providing a wealth of information to cancer patients in Pembrokeshire. The website covers topics such as financial matters, transportation, access to information, and much more.
Dragon’s Social and Wellbeing Committee recently welcomed Bernie George and Margaret Bond to the Dragon family, offering an opportunity to discuss the charity and familiarise themselves with Dragon’s fundraising plans for the upcoming year. One of the key events on the calendar is the second charity golf day, scheduled for Friday, 28th July.
Margaret Bond, Chairperson for the Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal, expressed gratitude, stating, “As a charity, we are immensely grateful that Dragon LNG has chosen us as their charity of the year. This support and the funds raised will help us to continue providing assistance to patients during such a difficult and stressful period in their lives. Both the staff and patients find comfort in the fact that, in consultation with them, we prioritise meeting specific needs and supplying the latest personal equipment, which is crucial in preventing infections. We heavily rely on the input from the unit’s staff and the patients’ feedback when making any purchases.”
Simon Ames, Managing Director of Dragon, proudly commented on the commitment shown by the Dragon team, saying, “I am extremely proud of the staff at Dragon for their unwavering support within the community and the passion they demonstrate for our chosen charities and fundraising events. Cancer has impacted almost all of our lives, whether directly or indirectly through our loved ones. Currently experiencing it within my own family, I am acutely aware of the devastating effects it can have. This is why supporting patients and assisting them in overcoming the immense challenges they face is of paramount importance.”
For further information about the Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal, please visit their website at www.whcduappeal.co.uk or contact them via telephone on 01646 698736.
News
Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash
THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.
Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.
The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.
Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”
The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
News
Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton
ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.
“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.
“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”
The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.
News
Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock
THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.
The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.
We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.
The emergency services have been asked for a comment.
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