Charity
Pembrokeshire tragedy: Community rallies behind bereaved family
IN AN OUTPOURING of compassion and community spirit, Pembrokeshire has come together in the wake of a heart-wrenching tragedy that befell one of their own. In late June, Rob and Gwen Hall faced the unimaginable pain of losing their eight-month-old daughter, Mabli Cariad Hall, following a tragic collision outside Withybush Hospital. The incident, which saw young Mabli fatally injured, left the family and wider community in shock and mourning.
To add to the weight of their grief, the Hall family endured another blow during the same week as the accident. Rob’s mother, Betty, also passed away. Described as a “proper character”, her absence has added to the family’s overwhelming sorrow.
Amidst this profound tragedy, the community, led by close friends and well-wishers, has sought ways to offer support and solace to the grieving family. Among those moved to act is Tim Evans, a lifelong friend of Rob and editor at Feel Good Magazine. “The depth of their pain is something most of us can’t even begin to fathom. While nothing can truly ease their heartache, the least we can do is to offer some financial respite,” shared Tim.
Driven by this sentiment, Tim, who formerly worked at The Pembrokeshire Herald, has committed to running, walking, or crawling 100 miles this October. He hopes to rally the support of the Pembrokeshire community to sponsor his journey, with all proceeds going to the Hall family. “It’s time to shelve the pints and takeaways and pound the Pembrokeshire roads for a cause close to my heart,” he said.
As testament to the community’s spirit and the impact of this tragic incident, Sinead Morris and her partner Morgan, close friends of Gwen and Rob, set up a crowdfunding campaign which has since garnered over £30,000. Remarkably, this sum includes generous contributions from some of Wales’ most celebrated sports stars.
The Hall family, already grateful for the exceptional care provided to Mabli at Bristol Children’s Hospital, are overwhelmed by the gestures of support. At the hospital, Mabli’s five siblings collaborated with the nursing staff to create special bunting, ensuring that her final moments were surrounded by warmth and love.
The journey ahead for Rob and Gwen is daunting. With Gwen on maternity leave and Rob currently unable to work due to injuries sustained in the accident, the family is facing both emotional and financial challenges. The funds raised aim to ease the financial burden as they navigate the harrowing path of rebuilding their lives.
For those inspired to lend their support, Tim Evans’ sponsorship details and the fundraising campaign are accessible via JustGiving. The resilience and unity displayed by the Pembrokeshire community serve as a poignant reminder of humanity’s capacity for kindness, even in the face of profound grief.
Charity
Charitable donations fund ambulatory heart monitors for Withybush Hospital
THANKS to generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities – the official charity of Hywel Dda Health Board – has funded 10 ambulatory heart monitors worth over £13,000 for Withybush Hospital’s Cardio-Respiratory Department.
The monitors are compact devices which are used to assess a patient’s heart rate and rhythm for a sustained amount of time.
The state-of-the-art monitors will help the Cardio-Respiratory Department provide the best possible service, with accurate, efficient and timely arrhythmia recognition provided on site or at home.
Rhys Bowen, Advanced Cardiac Physiologist, said: “We are so grateful that charitable donations from the local community have enabled us to buy the new monitors.
“The monitors are more adaptable to each patient’s presenting symptoms which will enhance the quality of the data gathered.
“They are more patient-friendly and easier to wear for the duration of the test, so there will be less need for repeat monitoring. They will also support quicker in-patient discharge due to an increase in the number of available monitors and the fact they can be worn by the patient at home and provide remote monitoring.”
Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, visit here.
Charity
St Davids RNLI teams up with Solva Rowing for joint exercise
THE RNLI St Davids lifeboat crew joined forces with Solva Rowing and Watersports Club for a unique joint training exercise on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The session focused on practising medical evacuation and tow techniques using a Celtic longboat, providing an opportunity for both lifeboat and rowing crews to enhance their rescue skills.
The training aimed to prepare volunteers for a variety of maritime emergency scenarios, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle situations that may arise at sea. The use of the traditional Celtic longboat added an extra layer of challenge and realism to the exercise, simulating conditions that could occur during actual rescue operations.
The collaboration between the two groups was not only a chance for skill enhancement but also a way to strengthen community ties and mutual understanding among the local sea-going organisations. The exercise was documented in photographs by Lyn Jenkins and Cathy Morton, capturing the intense yet constructive nature of the training.
This proactive approach by both the RNLI and Solva Rowing and Watersports Club underscores the commitment of local maritime groups to safety and preparedness, ultimately aiming to ensure that their volunteers are ready and able to save lives at sea effectively.
Charity
Angle RNLI responds to four emergencies in two days
THE Angle RNLI lifeboat crew demonstrated remarkable dedication and skill in managing four separate emergency callouts over the span of just two days. The series of incidents began at midnight on Friday, 10th of May, when the all-weather lifeboat was launched to investigate reports of red flares over Pennar, Pembroke. Despite an extensive search of the area stretching from the 5A buoy east of Valero to Llanreath and into Pennar Gut, no evidence of distress was discovered and the team was stood down at approximately 1:45am.
The second incident occurred later the same day at 4:58pm, following a mayday call from a vessel between South Hook and Angle. The vessel’s skipper reported an unconscious crew member who had collapsed while fishing. The lifeboat reached the distressed vessel within minutes, where crew members provided immediate medical assistance. The casualty, now conscious and stable, was transported to the Port Authority Jetty, where further medical support awaited.
The crew’s third emergency call of the day came at 7:19pm, prompted by a 999 call reporting four individuals being swept out to sea on two surfboards at Freshwater West Beach. Fortunately, all four were safely out of the water by the time the lifeboat arrived, but the crew conducted a precautionary search to ensure no further individuals were at risk.
On Saturday, 11th of May, at 1:03pm, the crew was again called into action after a report of a person unable to reboard their boat south of Watwick Beach. The individual, who had been recovered from the water by a passing vessel, was safely transferred to the lifeboat. It was found that the casualty’s mirror dinghy had capsized. The lifeboat ferried the individual to the Port Authority Jetty for medical care.
Each of these operations underscores the critical role played by the RNLI and its volunteers in ensuring maritime safety and rapid response to emergencies along the coast.
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