News

Couple retire after 40 years service to Paul Sartori

Published

1 year ago

October 12, 2023

A HAVERFORDWEST couple are retiring after four decades of voluntary service for the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home charity.

Mike and Chris Evans, aged 88 and 84, were part of a small group of dedicated people who helped to realise Father Paul Sartori’s vision for end-of-life care in Pembrokeshire after his death in 1980 at the age of 39.

Mike and Chris’s daughter Cath Rendell explained: “Father Sartori was our parish priest, and he was a particularly good friend of theirs and would call at our house very regularly when we were growing up. My parents were aware along with a larger group of friends and parishioners of his wishes to form a hospice. “He was an amazing man and as a family we were very fond of him. When he became ill, he made it clear that he would like his foresight of the hospice in Pembrokeshire to carry on even though he wouldn’t see that through himself.

“My dad, Mike Stalbow, Ted Wilks, Carmel Gould, Michael Burke and others got together and helped to bring his dreams to life. My mum was the chair of the fundraising committee and did a lot of early fundraising. Dad was a trustee.
“That group of people did all the research and went to meet people and visit hospices to find out the best way to serve the people of Pembrokeshire and keep the dream alive. My parents have been big supporters ever since.”

In May 1981, the Paul Sartori Foundation was formed with a home care service team of six carers. Forty years later in 2021, thanks to the early efforts of people like Mike and Chris, the expanded team provided more than 17,000 hours of hands-on nursing and supplied more than 1,100 pieces of equipment to the public. Nearly 350 people who die in Pembrokeshire are nursed by PSF, so the charity touches so many families just when they need it most.

In recent years Mike and Chris have also served as voting members – volunteers who provide practical support for the foundation and help in its decision-making.

Their son David is currently chair of the trustees.

At the AGM on September 20, one of the charity’s Trustees Paul Lister paid a warm tribute to Mike and Chris.

Paul said: “Mike was an original trustee and has been at the forefront in driving the charity to where it is today. From the beginning Chris has been a force to be reckoned with in raising funds to ensure the future of the charity.

“Along with other stalwart volunteers, she organised and attended balls, generated raffle prizes, and sold thousands upon thousands of raffle tickets.
“She also organised door to door collections and worked in the shops – to name just a few of the fundraising incentives!
“Both of them were involved in the original ‘bed push fundraiser’ alongside Anthony Sartori, Father Paul Sartori’s brother. They were both involved in one of the first New Year’s Day swims. They organised family fun cycle rides and the original car raffle.”

The charity presented the couple with an honorary voting member certificate and Paul added: “Chris is the epitome of our core values by having a ‘can do’ attitude and investing in and valuing our staff and volunteers.
“Chris’s fundraising efforts and determination over the years have inspired so many people and our income generation office is now called the ‘Chris Evans Room’ to inspire our team and volunteers who work there today and those who will be a part of the foundation’s future.
“We want to thank Mike and Chris for their outstanding contribution in providing good end of life care in Pembrokeshire.”

The couple will now have more time to themselves, and daughter Cath said it will give them a chance to catch up on gardening, a particular pleasure, and for her father to continue cycling which he still enjoys despite his advanced years.

Health

Eluned Morgan on NHS: ‘I’ve listened, I’ve heard, I’m making it happen’

Published

7 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FIRST Minister Eluned Morgan is set to announce an additional £22 million to tackle NHS waiting lists, bringing the total funding commitment to £50 million in a bid to address the longest delays in NHS Wales.

The announcement will form a key part of her speech at the Welsh Labour Conference on Saturday in Llandudno, marking her first as Welsh Labour Leader. Morgan will emphasise the strength of partnership between the Welsh and UK Labour Governments, showcasing their shared commitment to delivering for the people of Wales.

The funding pledge comes two weeks after Rachel Reeves unveiled a historic £21 billion funding settlement for the Welsh Government—the largest since devolution. Drawing on her summer listening tour, where she engaged with thousands across Wales, Morgan will declare: “I’ve listened, I’ve heard, I’m making it happen.”

Focus on NHS and Green Growth

During her tour, the First Minister heard the pride people feel for the Welsh NHS and its workforce, as well as the importance of safeguarding its future. Today’s funding boost underscores Welsh Labour’s commitment to addressing key issues, distinguishing it as the only party serious about governance and delivery.

In addition to NHS investment, Morgan will highlight her administration’s ambitions for green jobs and growth. Five new renewable energy projects are set to be unveiled, alongside plans to streamline infrastructure planning by 12 weeks—a move aimed at accelerating progress in Wales. These initiatives are expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs, reinforcing Labour’s commitment to a greener, more prosperous future.

Conservative Perspective on NHS Wales

The Welsh Conservatives have expressed concerns regarding the current state of NHS Wales. They have highlighted issues such as prolonged waiting lists and underfunding, attributing these challenges to longstanding Labour governance. In a recent statement, the Welsh Conservatives emphasized the need for increased investment and support for NHS staff, proposing the establishment of an NHS Covenant to guarantee such commitments.

Additionally, the Welsh Conservatives have criticized the Labour Government for not allocating the full Barnett consequential funding to the Welsh NHS, arguing that this shortfall has exacerbated existing challenges within the health service.

Delivering for Wales

The Conference will celebrate the achievements of the Welsh Labour Government while setting out its future priorities. From tackling NHS challenges to driving renewable energy development, the event will demonstrate Morgan’s focus on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales.

Eluned Morgan’s speech is expected to reaffirm Welsh Labour’s ambition to lead with purpose, listening to the public and working closely with the UK Labour Government to deliver tangible results.

News

Young Changemakers Drive Wales Toward a Net Zero Future

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS world leaders gathered at COP29 to address global climate challenges, young people in Wales were making their own mark on the path to a greener future. The Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon, held last Friday, showcased the ingenuity, passion, and practical solutions of 26 young finalists from across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

This flagship event, hosted by Pembrokeshire-based education enterprise Cymbrogi Futures, is part of a year-long programme empowering young learners with the skills and confidence to tackle climate challenges head-on.

THE WINNING IDEA: FAIR FASHION

The team from Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthenshire, stole the show with their innovative project addressing fast fashion waste. Their idea? Personalised soft toys crafted from discarded fabric destined for landfill. By engaging with local businesses and charity shops, the team not only demonstrated creativity but also gained practical insights into the environmental impact of textile waste.

Nia John, lead teacher for the team, shared: “This project allowed us to incorporate real-world learning into the classroom. Pupils were thrilled to interact with industry experts, growing their ideas through meaningful collaboration.”

Ariana, the team leader, reflected: “I enjoyed learning skills like collaboration and creativity, which will help me in the future. This experience has inspired me to start our school’s Climate Action group.”

OTHER FINALISTS: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Equally impressive was Milford Haven School’s ‘Cafe Cleddau’, a visionary concept featuring a solar-powered boat to connect communities along the Haven waterway. With sustainable snacks, a soft-play area, and hydro-powered backup systems, the idea aimed to revolutionise tourism and nightlife in the region.

All finalist teams received vouchers for the ethical online store Social Supermarket, while the winning team took home a £300 cash prize to fund biodiversity projects at their school.

BUILDING A NET ZERO FUTURE

Cymbrogi’s founder, Liza Lort-Phillips, underlined the importance of initiatives like Tomorrow’s Changemakers:
“Today’s learners will face far greater challenges in a climate-changed world than any of us. By sparking their imaginations now, we can equip them to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”

The programme was supported by major partners, including the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental, who provided real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities in Wales’ green economy.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, remarked: “This initiative is vital. Empowering the next generation with green skills and confidence ensures they are ready to lead the charge toward a net-zero future.”

A COMMUNITY-ROOTED CHALLENGE

The hackathon is the culmination of a three-stage learning journey inspired by the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the UN Global Goals. The programme began with an online course introducing topics such as the circular economy and systems thinking, followed by mini-challenges rooted in real-world scenarios in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Learners explored diverse challenges, including:

Sustainable Tourism: Imagining a car-free holiday in Milford Haven.
Energy: Exploring renewable solutions for rural Wales.
Fashion: Tackling fast fashion waste.

The finalists worked with industry experts, visiting sites such as the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental to gain hands-on experience.

A CALL TO ACTION

Samuel Kurtz, MS for South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, praised the event:
“The curiosity and ingenuity of these students are truly inspiring. Their ambition shows they are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. Initiatives like this are essential for building a resilient and sustainable future.”

Cymbrogi Futures hopes to expand the programme to schools across Wales, with plans to reach Wrexham and Neath Port Talbot in 2025.

As Wales leads the charge toward a net-zero future, the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme reminds us that the solutions of tomorrow lie in the hands of today’s young minds.

Pictured above: Young innovators: Queen Elizabeth High students celebrate their Fair Fashion project victory (Pic: MHPA).

Community

Port supports Cruising Free’s Atlantic Dash with donation of safety equipment

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced a donation of vital safety equipment to support local group Cruising Free, who will be embarking on a challenging 3,200-mile rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The crew of Cruising Free will row from Lanzarote to Antigua to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Port of Milford Haven’s donation includes a comprehensive range of safety gear designed to support the crew’s journey and ensure their safety during this extraordinary expedition. Items provided include:

Flare Kit
Satellite Phone
VHF Radios
First Aid Kits
GPS Equipment
Lights
Safety Lines
And more

The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s leading energy Port, is committed to supporting local maritime initiatives. This donation is a key part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote safety in all aspects of maritime activity, particularly for adventurous projects like Atlantic Dash.

“We are proud to support the amazing crew of Cruising Free as they undertake this monumental challenge,” said Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven. “Safety is paramount for anyone taking to the sea, and we hope that the equipment we’ve provided will support them as they navigate the Atlantic. Their journey will not only raise vital funds for two incredibly worthwhile causes but also inspire people across the UK and beyond. We are excited to be part of their journey and wish them the very best of luck.”

The Atlantic Dash will see the team of experienced rowers tackle the gruelling transatlantic journey, which is expected to take several weeks. The funds raised by Cruising Free will directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which supports research and care for people living with cystic fibrosis, and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides specialist palliative care services to individuals in West Wales.

“We are truly and eternally grateful to Port of Milford Haven who have provided us with the essential safety equipment needed to embark on our 3,200 mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua. We are hoping not to need to use the flares or safety lines, but the satellite phone and VHF radio will keep us connected with land and loved-ones through the entire 2-month journey. Thank you!” said Polly Zipperlen, team member of Cruising Free.

Cruising Free’s row across the Atlantic will begin in January 2025, and the crew’s journey will be tracked in real time to allow supporters to follow their progress. The team is already actively fundraising and plans to hold several community events in the lead-up to their departure.

To learn more about Cruising Free’s Atlantic Row and how you can support their cause, visit their Linktree here.