A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

A COUPLE from Pembrokeshire are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime – rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Emma Gent, 53, and her partner Andrew Ravenscroft are currently in the Canary Islands ready for the start of the Atlantic Dash, an endurance race regarded as one of the toughest challenges in the world.

The pair, competing as Team SharkBait, are due to set off on Saturday, January 24, aiming to reach Antigua in the Caribbean in a journey expected to take around two months.

They will row alone in a seven-metre boat, named Donkey, with no support crew, no motor and no sails – just two sets of oars and the open Atlantic.

Team SharkBait has already raised £5,845 of its £6,500 target for four charities: Wales Air Ambulance, The MS Society, Megan Starr Foundation and The Robin Cancer Trust.

Emma, a sister in A&E at Withybush Hospital, said the challenge has been years in the making.

“I have been interested in rowing the Atlantic for three years now, and after a couple of team changes due to various reasons, I was thinking about doing it as a solo rower,” she said.

“Andrew has many challenges already under his belt and was looking for a new one, and when I asked him to join me, he jumped at the chance.

“I am delighted that Andrew has decided to join me. He is new to rowing but has not let that stop him in any way and has taken to it like a duck to water.”

Emma said she wanted to take on the challenge for a range of reasons – from the adventure to the charities – and to inspire her children.

“I have wanted to do this for a long time; the challenge, the charities, the adventure, the achievement and to prove to my children that nothing is impossible if you’re determined enough,” she said.

“To be able to share the highs and lows of this whole experience with Andrew has made the road ahead feel less daunting.”

Andrew, from Tenby, marked his 60th birthday this week in Lanzarote. He has previously completed an Ironman and other endurance challenges.

Emma, a mother of three, has been a Celtic longboat rower for more than twenty years and has rowed from Ireland to Wales twice – but said this will be her biggest test to date.

“We have spent time training for the last few months, along with sourcing and purchasing the considerable amount of equipment needed to keep us safe,” she said.

“Many hours have been spent on the computer learning about the specialist gear required.

“It’s been a long slog, but we are delighted to be in Lanzarote at the start line and excited to get going. We hope to complete it and enjoy a cocktail or two in Antigua, fingers crossed, a couple of months after our start date.”

Emma said the Wales Air Ambulance was chosen as one of the beneficiaries because of its importance to patients and families across Wales.

“My daughter had an accident several years ago and although the air ambulance didn’t end up assisting, they were on standby to support,” she said.

“Having worked in A&E for many years, I have seen how much the air ambulance can do, not just with accidents but also with transportation of patients to more appropriate hospitals.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, delivering hospital-standard care at the scene and, when required, transferring patients directly to the most appropriate hospital. It operates through a partnership with the NHS Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), with NHS consultants and critical care practitioners working onboard the charity’s aircraft and rapid response vehicles.

Its advanced critical care capability includes administering anaesthesia, delivering blood transfusions and carrying out minor operations at the roadside or in remote locations.

Mike May, the charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for South West Wales, said: “The challenge Team SharkBait has set themselves is incredible. Emma and Andrew are a brave and determined couple for taking on this remarkable challenge in aid of charities close to their hearts.

“We are extremely grateful to them both for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance. Emma knows firsthand how important the service is to the people of Wales when they need us most.

“The Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.

“Good luck with your challenge and stay safe.”

People can support the pair by donating via their fundraising page at:
www.gofundme.com/f/sharkbait26

Updates will also be shared on their Facebook page: SharkBait.

Staff and supporters go the extra mile to back vital charity

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has raised an impressive £168,604 for the Fire Fighters Charity over the past 12 months, marking a slight increase on last year’s total of £166,297.

The total reflects the continued commitment and generosity of staff across the Service, with both operational and support teams taking part in a wide range of fundraising activities. These included community car washes, Fire Station open days, physical challenges and a variety of creative initiatives held throughout the year.

Speaking on the achievement, MAWWFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery thanked everyone involved, saying the support would make a lasting difference.

He said the generosity, enthusiasm and community spirit shown by staff and supporters would have a real impact on the work of the Fire Fighters Charity and on the lives of those who dedicate themselves to keeping others safe.

The Fire Fighters Charity provides lifelong support for the mental, physical and social wellbeing of serving and retired firefighters, their families, and other Fire and Rescue Service personnel. Founded in 1943, the Charity is funded through donations and fundraising events and remains a vital resource for those working within the Fire and Rescue Service community.

Pictured receiving the Service’s Certificate of Appreciation are Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery and MAWWFRS Central Response Officer and Charity Coordinator Nerys Thomas, both of whom have personally benefited from the Charity’s support.

During his recovery from a knee ligament injury, ACFO Flannery received tailored rehabilitation support from the Fire Fighters Charity, which played a key role in helping him manage the physical and emotional challenges associated with his injury.

As Charity Coordinator, Nerys Thomas acts as the link between the Fire Fighters Charity and MAWWFRS staff. She has also received support herself following rehabilitation treatment after a skiing accident. Her bespoke programme included pool sessions, workshops and guided walks, helping her return to running sooner than expected. After the death of her father, she again turned to the Charity for support, taking part in a Rest and Recharge stay at Harcombe House.

Speaking about her experience, Nerys said: “During my Rest and Recharge stay, my mother, my husband and I were able to enjoy lovely walks, outdoor reading, trips to the local area and had all our meals prepared for us by the chefs there which were amazing.

“The charity was absolutely brilliant throughout my contact with them. I’m keen to spread the word to other green book staff who still aren’t aware they’re eligible for support from the charity.”