ASHMOLE & CO have raised a staggering £7,000 over the past 12 months for the DPJ Foundation. The staff at the accountancy firm held a number of events to raise funds for the Welsh, rural, mental health charity.

With thirteen offices spread across mid and south Wales, approximately 80 staff including Partners from Ashmole & Co hiked 10 kms of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in September last year as the main fundraising event. Staff also held dress down Fridays, ran half marathon races and even crocheted a blanket to help raise funds.

Carwyn Morgan, Ashmole & Co Partner in the Carmarthen and Newcastle Emlyn offices, said, “Our rural clients confide in us as their accountant and we are sometimes the first they turn to when financial or family concerns impact on their lives and mental health. We are grateful to the DPJ Foundation for the training sessions they gave our staff as part of this year of fundraising so we could recognise the mental health issue warning signs. Our staff now feel more confident in signposting clients to professional help and support with their mental health. Thank you also to our clients and friends who helped us raise this fantastic total for this extremely worthy cause.”

The £7,000 raised is the equivalent of 140 professional counselling sessions or that amount of funding could run the charity’s Share the Load helpline for seven months.

Kate Miles, Manager of the DPJ Foundation, said, “We are very grateful to Ashmole & Co for helping to raise funds and awareness of the foundation over the last 12 months. Poor mental health in agriculture is recognised as a big problem across society and the DPJ Foundation aims to break down the stigma that surrounds poor mental health and provide support services for those in rural communities when they need it, where they need it. With the funds raised we are able to help people get help and ultimately prevent suicide.”

The DPJ Foundation was set up in July 2016 in Pembrokeshire, supporting those in the agricultural sector. The mental health farming charity has grown and covers the whole of Wales with all areas of support. The DPJ Foundation works with leading organisations in agriculture including NFU Cymru, FUW, YFC, vets and Welsh Government to help provide an accessible and flexible service. For more information visit: www.dpjfoundation.co.uk

IN LIGHT of the shocking statistic that an average of 45 people drown in Wales every year, the Welsh Government has pledged its support to a vision of Wales without drowning.

A funding package is being delivered to Water Safety Wales – a collaboration of organisations with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention.

Welsh Government support to ensure the effective delivery of Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026 comes in light of statistics revealing the drowning rate in Wales is roughly double that of the UK as a whole. In addition:

• 48 people lost their lives in water related fatalities in 2022.  
• 1,755 water related incidents in Wales required an emergency response each year, equating to around five every day (WDPS 2020-2026).
• Figures collated by Swim Wales show only 41 per cent of children in Years 3-6 in Wales can swim.

The Welsh Government is committed to promoting the safe participation in water activities and today’s announcement will support the strategy’s aims to enable the safe enjoyments of of Wales’ coast and inland waters. An event will take place at the Pier Head to celebrate the strengthened link between Water Safety Wales and the Welsh Government, with key note speakers.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs will address the event on Wednesday. He says: “I am grateful to all of those working to improve water safety awareness and help reduce the number of water-related incidents and fatalities in Wales.

“Through the achievement and recognition of the Mark Allen’s Law petition, we are not just commemorating a life lost but taking positive steps to protecting others.

“The Senedd Petition Committee’s recommendations are comprehensive and we are committed to addressing the challenges that contribute to water related incidents in Wales.

“Through our collaborative work with partners, we will continue to identify and address hazards, foster a culture of water safety from an early age and keep our waters as safe as possible.”

Chris Cousens, Water Safety Wales chair says: ‘Wales’ seas and inland open waters – enjoyed by millions each year – are the best anywhere in the world and we want to help people enjoy them safely. We are  delighted to have the support of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and his teams in reducing drowning in Wales. The financial support provided will allow a step change in our efforts to effectively deliver Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026. We hope it is a first step toward a long and close relationship working on drowning prevention in Wales in the years to come.’

The strategy promotes a consistent and common approach to water safety, drowning prevention and water safety education and awareness. It aims to work in a collaborative multi-agency approach to identify and target harden areas of risk and develop and implement Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-26.

Amount the aims are promoting public awareness of water-related risks and the safe participation in water activities across Wales, developing learning to swim and water safety education.

The group also works closely with families affected by water-related incidents and welcoming the proposal is Leanne Bartley from Ruthin, mum of Mark Allen who sadly died in an incident at a reservoir in 2018. Leeanne’s petition was a catalyst for change and she will be speaking of her experiences at the event.

Leanne says: ‘To lose a loved one to drowning is truly devastating; the impact on families left behind is shattering. Nothing I do will bring back Mark, but what I can do is help ensure other families don’t have to suffer in the way we have. The sad thing is the majority of drowning incidents are preventable, which is why I’m committed to working alongside Water Safety Wales to highlight the risk and work towards the vision of a Wales without drowning. To have this support from Welsh Government is a massive step forward, we are incredibly grateful for this support.’

APPLICATIONS are now open to become one of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) face-to-face fundraisers in Wales. This vital role helps the lifesaving charity reach thousands of people every year, sharing safety messages and encouraging new supporters to sign up and donate.

A role within the RNLI’s face-to-face fundraising team offers flexible working in some great locations, including big events and at the beautiful beaches of the Welsh coast. Fundraisers receive full, high-quality training and competitive rates of pay, whilst also developing valuable professional and personal skills.

One person who knows very well the impact that funds raised can have is John Connolly, who joined the RNLI as a fundraiser in 2018, and now works as a Deputy Face-to-Face Fundraising Manager:

‘I grew up in a maritime town, so I was always aware of the RNLI and what they did, but its importance was really brought home to me on a holiday with my family back in 2009,’ said John. ‘My children were all enjoying bodyboarding on a lifeguarded beach, when my son started to drift outside the area marked by the red and yellow flags. He was quickly rescued by the RNLI lifeguard on duty.

‘It was a scary moment, but we didn’t appreciate the enormity of what had happened until later, when the relief really set in.’

A few years later, when looking for summer work, John saw an advertisement for RNLI face-to-face fundraisers. Attracted by the possibility of working outside, raising funds for the RNLI’s lifesaving work, and engaging with members of the public, he decided to apply.

‘I realised I would like to give something back,’ said John, who has now worked all around the country as part of the face-to-face fundraising team. ‘You meet all sorts of people and hear their stories of why the work of the RNLI is important to them. It’s amazing to be doing something I fundamentally believe in, and to be raising money so that other people can be as fortunate as I was.’

The funds raised by John and his colleagues are vital in supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving service. The charity, which recently celebrated its 200^th anniversary, operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, and has seasonal lifeguards on the same number of beaches. During its two centuries of lifesaving, volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives – made possible by the generous support of the public.

Beth Lee, Senior Face-to-Face Fundraising Manager at the RNLI, said: ‘Our face-to-face fundraiser roles are the perfect fit for anyone who is friendly, energetic and able to talk to anyone. It really is a vital role in supporting the RNLI’s lifesaving work, sharing safety advice with thousands of beach visitors every summer, as well as inspiring them to support our lifesavers with a donation.  

‘This year is a particularly exciting time to be considering becoming part of the RNLI family, as the charity marks two hundred years of saving lives at sea. I’d encourage anyone, no matter what career you are considering, to take up the challenge and apply for a face-to-face fundraising role.’

RNLI face-to-face fundraising vacancies are now available across the UK and Ireland, including in Wales, with a range of hours from part- to full-time and some accommodated roles available. To apply or find out more, visit rnli.org/FundraiserJobs