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Charity

PATCH Celebrates 15 Years of Helping People in Pembrokeshire

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SATURDAY, 3rd June 2013, marks the 15th anniversary of PATCH, a remarkable milestone in the organization’s journey of aiding individuals in overcoming hardship. Tracy Olin, the general manager, established PATCH with humble beginnings, and it has since flourished into a well-established institution. In 2022 alone, over 30,000 food parcels were distributed, illustrating the tremendous impact of their efforts. However, this year has posed new challenges, with a surge of approximately 30% in the demand for food parcels, and donations failing to meet the levels of the previous year. Dave Golding, the acting general manager, emphasizes the constant battle to ensure an adequate food supply.

The majority of the food distributed by PATCH is sourced from public donations. Individuals can either deliver contributions directly to our headquarters on Robert Street or place them in conveniently located collection baskets at local supermarkets. In addition to public support, PATCH also receives significant assistance from prominent local businesses, including Valero, Ascona, Milford Haven Port Authority, and various others, for which we are immensely grateful. Moreover, ordinary members of the public, who have experienced firsthand the challenges of putting food on the table, offer vital support. Previously, Pembrokeshire County Council has also provided financial aid.

Despite purchasing large quantities of food using financial grants, the demand for sustenance remains insatiable. This year, we are compelled to purchase food to maintain the support we provide, highlighting the urgency of our cause.

In addition to year-round food parcel distribution, PATCH organizes an annual Toy Appeal during the Christmas season. Once again, the success of this initiative hinges on the generosity of the public and local businesses, including Valero, Milford Haven Port Authority, Stena, and several supermarkets. The Toy Appeal aims to provide each referred child with at least five age-appropriate toys, along with the necessary wrapping paper, tags, and sellotape, all kindly delivered by our partner organization, FRAME. We are immensely grateful for their invaluable assistance, as well as the support of every individual who stands by our cause.

During the pandemic, PATCH was compelled to close all its outreach posts and shifted its focus to delivering food parcels with the aid of a dedicated team of volunteer drivers. While this approach was necessary at the time, it has become evident that it is not financially sustainable. Consequently, PATCH has recently made the decision to reopen its outreach posts, making it more convenient for referring agents and service users to collect food parcels. Currently, we have outreach Food Banks situated in “The Old Chapel” on Lower Frog Street, Tenby (open Tuesday to Saturday), and at The VC Gallery in Pembroke Dock, located in the old St Mary’s School near the Fire Station in Pembroke Dock (open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm). Additionally, we have plans to open a Food Bank in “The Hive” on Goshawk Road, Haverfordwest, with the official date to be announced soon.

In addition to the Food Banks, we also operate a Charity Shop that opened its doors in September 2022. Once again, the success of this venture heavily relies on the generous contributions from the public. We are overwhelmed by the support we receive in the form of donated goods that we are able to sell, generating valuable income for the Food Bank.

Apart from relying on food and item donations for the shop, we are immensely grateful for the assistance of our volunteers. These dedicated individuals not only help prepare the food parcels but also contribute to the smooth operation of the shop. If you are reading this article and are able to spare a few hours to volunteer at one of our Food Banks or in the Shop (either on the shop floor or in the back room for sorting), please do not hesitate to contact us.

PATCH has come a long way since its inception, but the journey is far from over. As we celebrate 15 years of dedicated service to the community, we remain committed to our mission of supporting those in need. Together, with the collective efforts of Tracy Olin, Dave Golding, our partners, volunteers, and the kind-hearted members of the public, we strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals facing adversity.

Charity

Charity golf tournament to raise funds for Blood Bikes Wales

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A CHARITY golf tournament is set to take place at Milford Haven Golf Club on Friday, August 23rd, with the aim of raising £2000 for Blood Bikes Wales, a volunteer organisation dedicated to saving lives.

Organised by local volunteer Peter Kraus, the 18-hole Texas Scramble promises to be an exciting day for golf enthusiasts, with prizes for the top three teams, as well as awards for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Teams of four can enter for a fee of £50.

Peter expressed his determination to reach the fundraising goal: “I am determined to raise £2000 at the Charity Golf Day on 23rd August for Blood Bikes Wales (Pembrokeshire). They are all volunteers like myself, and saving lives is all they think about.”

The event not only seeks to attract golfers but also sponsors to ensure the success of the fundraiser. Kraus emphasized the importance of community support, stating, “Having this message on your website will definitely make it happen.”

Golfers and sponsors interested in participating or contributing to the event can register their teams or get more information by contacting Peter Kraus directly via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07867765716. Alternatively, the Milford Haven Golf Club Pro Shop can be reached on 01646 697822 ext 2.

Join the Milford Haven community in supporting a noble cause while enjoying a day of golf, camaraderie, and competition. Your participation could help save lives.

Event details:

  • Event: Charity Golf Tournament
  • In Aid Of: Blood Bikes Wales
  • Format: 18-Hole Texas Scramble
  • Date: Friday, August 23rd
  • Teams: 4 players per team
  • Entry Fee: £50 per team
  • Prizes: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place; Longest Drive; Closest to the Pin
  • Location: Milford Haven Golf Club

For more information, please contact:

  • Peter Kraus: [email protected] or 07867765716
  • Milford Haven Golf Club Pro Shop: 01646 697822 ext 2
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Charity

Paul Sartori secures grant from the Albert Hunt Trust

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PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home have been well-supported by a major national giving trust, The Albert Hunt Trust, over recent years. Their support of £96,000 since 2017 has been invaluable to the charity and has helped to support the core service ensuring families are supported at end of life. This year (2024) has been no different to other years, where they have gracefully supported Paul Sartori with an annual donation towards its end-of-life home nursing care service.

This year, however, The Albert Hunt Trust have awarded this Pembrokeshire-based charity a substantial sum of £30,000. This is not only in recognition of all UK hospices facing funding cuts, but also the continuing challenge of the rise in the cost of living and increases in all bills borne by the charity. Of course, the charity has seen an increase in demand for its services, which continues to rise year after year.

This support is vital for the charity to continue to provide the range of services and to support many local families with a life limiting diagnosis, especially during the cost-of-living crisis with rising costs putting a strain on many charities.

This grant will contribute towards the flexible and responsive Home Nursing Care Service delivered in the county by the team at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. They offer a 24/7 on-call facility, a standby service, rapid response, as well as Registered Nurse attendance for symptom management. Working closely with other health and social care professionals they complement statutory services to deliver the right care tailored to meet the needs of end-of-life patients, their families and carers. The support provided by the charity is regarded as “invaluable”, a “great comfort” and makes “a difficult time so much easier”.

The donation will help towards providing supportive care at night so family members can get much-needed rests; will enable families to access the fast-track service, and more importantly enable families to be at home together.

“I am delighted to take this opportunity to give our thanks to the Albert Hunt Trust for their very generous donation of £30,000,” said Phil Thompson MBE, Vice Chair of Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, “This is not the first time they have helped us either; they have supported our charity since 2017, to the tune of a massive £96,000. Thank you very much. At times like this, words don’t seem enough, but believe me, we are extremely grateful.”

“The Albert Hunt trust is committed, as far as possible, to continue to provide unrestricted core funding for hospice care for the remaining years of operation and until the Trust’s entire resources have been spent. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has received faithful support as they continue their work in Pembrokeshire,” said Jane Deller Ray, Operations Manager at The Albert Hunt Trust.

The Albert Hunt Trust was established in recognition of the successful businessman, Mr Albert Hunt, who died in 1957. He left his business jointly to two ladies: Miss Florence I Reakes (his niece) and Miss Mary K Coyle. Miss Reakes and Miss Coyle established the Trust in Albert Hunt’s name in 1979. Miss Reakes died in 1996 and Miss Coyle in 2000. They kindly bequeathed the bulk of their estates to the Trust, providing it with a significant endowment. This enabled the trust to increase its active support of charitable causes. Since the trust was established, significant sums have been paid as grants. However, the Trust plans to spend its entire resources by 2029.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has been providing a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness for over 40 years. The support now includes home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning and training. The services provided enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish. All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of supporters near and far.

Further information on the charity, and its services, visit their website www.paulsartori.org, or phone 01437 763223.

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Charity

Calls for help over VHF radio may have been a hoax, say RNLI

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THE ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch on service at 10:23am this morning, Monday (July 22).

Following a call to the Coastguard from Milford Haven VTS, the crew were tasked after the VTS operators overheard a female voice calling for help on VHF channel 12.

After narrowing down the transmission to having been received on the Pembroke aerial site, the crew were requested to conduct a search.

Launching at 10:30am, the lifeboat made best speed to the moorings at Hazelbeach, and a hasty search was requested by the Coastguard of any moored vessels. The crew began making their way amongst the moorings, heading up to the moorings off Neyland. With nothing untoward sighted, the crew proceeded to search the moorings off Hobbs Point, Barnlake Point, Burton, Llanion and Rudders Boat Yard.

With nothing found, the Coastguard requested that the crew continue their search up river to Picton Point. The lifeboat continued searching up the western shore encompassing Llangwm before altering course just past Landshipping and searching the eastern shore back down the river, calling in to Lawrenny on the way to check any vessels moored there.

The RNLI said that the search continued back down as far as the Cleddau Bridge.

On Facebook the organisation posted :”Following a thorough visual, communications and radar search the crew were subsequently stood down when no further information or calls had been received.

“The tasking was therefore deemed to be a hoax call.

“The lifeboat was back alongside and readied for further service by 1pm.”

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