SPORTS Pembrokeshire’s “Fit and Fed” initiative, aimed at helping children in disadvantaged areas to access nourishment and take part in a variety of sports, is hoping it can be expanded to more school holidays and even 52 weeks a year. 

The project, which has support from the Bluestone Foundation, the community support arm of Bluestone National Park Resort near Narberth, Pembrokeshire, has been operating each summer for the past two years. 

Over the course of this time, the project has supported children in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard. 

Spearheaded by Matthew Freeman, Sport Pembrokeshire Manager, the initiative has not only provided essential sustenance to children but also enabled them to participate in sports activities through local clubs and groups. 

Matthew said: “The success of the ‘Fit and Fed’ project has been truly amazing. We’ve witnessed children benefiting not just from nutritious meals but also from the chance to engage in physical activities. Our aim is to expand this initiative to all school holidays, including Christmas, ensuring year-round support for these deserving children.” 

Matthew said he envisions the project evolving into a year-round project, making a positive impact every single week. He said the current project has focused exclusively on areas identified as deprived within Pembrokeshire, with hopes to broaden its scope to cover other communities in the county.  

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone, said the project had proved to be much needed, playing a vital role in providing nourishment and exercise to children.  

Marten said: “The Bluestone Foundation has been pleased to play a small part in contributing to such a crucial project. It serves as a catalyst for the creation of more initiatives that support our community’s young members.” 

The Bluestone Foundation was launched in 2010 and has distributed over £250,000 in grants across Pembrokeshire. The Foundation strives to help people help themselves and to principally assist projects falling into economic, social, and environmental categories. 

The initial success of “Fit and Fed” stemmed from its roots in assisting children to engage in sports via local clubs and organisations.  

It was launched in response to the fact that many children in disadvantaged areas were missing out on both meals and opportunities for physical activity. 

Matthew added: “It became evident that children were arriving at school and sports events without having had a proper meal. The ‘Fit and Fed’ project addresses this critical issue by ensuring access to food, leading to healthier and more active lives.”  

The collaboration between Sport Pembrokeshire, community sports clubs, and third sector organisations such as Milford Youth Matters, Tanyard, Pembrokeshire Youth Service Haverfordwest Youth Club, and Sport Pembrokeshire, has been important to the initiative’s success. 

Sue Lines of the Tanyard Youth Project, said: “I would like to thank Sport Pembrokeshire and the Bluestone Foundation on behalf of the trustees, staff, volunteers and young people of the Tanyard Youth Project. 

“This exciting new partnership has enabled us to provide sporting opportunities and healthy meals to dozens of children and young people in Pembroke, many of whom arrive at the centre hungry or emotionally fragile.  The benefits of physical exercise and healthy food bring immense improvements to their mental health and general well-being.” 

As the project looks to the future, Matthew said: “Our ultimate goal is to extend ‘Fit and Fed’ to a year-round initiative, providing children with consistent support, if we can secure the necessary funding.” 

AWARD-WINNING Get Jerky high protein snacks helped energise Mid Wales based driver Jason Pritchard to a fantastic Historic Category win at the hugely successful JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.

Builth Wells based Jason and his co-driver Phil Clarke were delighted to take first place in category and 14th place overall in their Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII, after two days of spectacular stages around Aberystwyth and across the Cambrian Mountains.

His sponsors include Get Jerky, a premium brand of Welsh Beef and venison jerky made by Trailhead Fine Food in Welshpool and Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen, a four star, 2 AA rosette restaurant with room in Llanidloes.

A big fan of Get Jerky, Jason said: “It’s the perfect snack for rally crews to have in our cars when we need an energy boost because it tastes good and is much healthier than eating chocolate.”

Gluten free and available in eight flavours – three of which are Great Taste award-winners – Get Jerky is a healthy, high protein snack for all ages, which provide an energy boost when you need it, especially when playing sports.

Success in the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion was the perfect build up to the RAC Rally from November 23-27, which will involve five full days of challenging forest rallying covering Wales, Scotland and England.

“We are entering only selective events this year as I want to put some mileage on our brand new car before the RAC Rally in November,” said Jason whose family owns the Toyota dealership, North Road Garage, Builth Wells, another key sponsor.

“We wouldn’t be able to enter these rallies without the support of our sponsors and it’s great to have the support of local businesses. Hopefully, our sponsors will have benefited from our success on the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.”

Get Jerky is available to buy online at www.getjerky.wales or in farm shops and other quality food retailers across the UK.

Trailhead Fine Foods is the headline sponsor of the Get Jerky Rally North Wales based in Welshpool and the Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase ultra trail race, which is being held next Saturday, September 16 and also sponsor junior playing strips for COBRA Rugby Club, based in Meifod.

The company supports sports and events for young people and adults that benefit the Mid Wales tourism economy and encourage a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, leadership, competition and discipline.

Pictured above: Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke on their way to victory in the Historic Category at JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion.

CRYMYCH FOOTBALL CLUB is arranging an evening with Rob Page – Cymru National Football Team Coach and Ian Gwynne Hughes, Head of Public Affairs at the Football Association of Wales at Crymych Market Hall on Friday September 15 at 7.30pm

The volunteers on the committee of Crymych Football Club are very grateful to recently receive confirmation that Rob Page, the Cymru National Coach and Ian Gwyn Hughes, Head of Public Affairs at the Football Association of Wales have agreed to visit Crymych on Friday 15th September for a special evening of discussions and a question and answer section about their vision for the future of football in Wales.

The confirmation of their visit is very recent and therefore the opportunity is now open to anyone who wishes to take up some of the remaining seats which are being taken up quickly. The evening will be held at the Crymych Market Hall on Friday 15th September, 2023 starting at 7.30pm.

To reserve your seat or seats at a table please email [email protected] or call 07974099738. The evening will include a main course buffet and dessert. The cost for a seat is £30 each. During the evening there will also be an opportunity to raise funds for the DPJ Foundation Charity. Anyone who would wish to donate an item for the fundraising please contact the club on the above contact details. There will be a bar at the event on the 15th, with a dress code of smart casual.

Crymych FC is a very young and ambitious club having only been set up in 2019 and is now seeking to improve its sporting facilities for the current two senior teams. Further developments are in the pipeline to start a women’s team and work closely with the junior football team in Boncath. The club is also in the process of developing the Crymych Arms pub as its club, community hub and village pub.