Community

Tesco shoppers in Pembs called to help raise funds for food allergy charity

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

SHOPPERS in Pembrokeshire are being encouraged to help an in-store fundraising campaign from Monday 22nd to Sunday 28th April to support medical research into food allergies.

For the fifth year running, Tesco is working with The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, the UK’s food allergy charity, to help raise awareness and support clinical research into food allergies by contributing 10p from every own brand Free From product bought in stores and online, as well as providing customers with the opportunity to round up their shopping at self-service tills throughout the week.

All money raised will help Natasha’s Foundation to continue its research into reducing the risks of food allergies and further developments into the management of allergies.

In addition to the funds being raised, the campaign aims to increase awareness in Pembrokeshire about the importance of understanding food allergies and clearly highlighting ingredients in food which can cause allergic reactions.

Natasha’s Foundation was founded in 2019 by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse following the tragic loss of their daughter Natasha who had a fatal allergic reaction to a baguette that contained sesame seeds that were not listed on the packaging.

Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, said: “We’re thrilled that Tesco is supporting us for the fifth year running. Allergen awareness is so important, and money raised in previous years has helped to fund clinical research exploring the management of food allergies.”

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns at Tesco, said: “The work that Natasha’s Foundation has done to date has been fantastic and we are delighted to be able to support this for a fifth year.

“There are now 175 products in our Free From range, from meals and desserts to snacks, all created with great taste but without any of the allergens. We welcome any shoppers in Pembrokeshire to try these products or kindly round up their shopping at the self-service tills to help raise money for a fantastic cause.”

Natasha’s Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funds for critical food allergy research. But the real impact of the charity’s work lies in the lives it can change.

Millions of people live with food allergies in the UK and must navigate a world where seemingly simple acts, like grabbing a quick bite to eat, can become fraught with danger. It can affect anyone, at any age.

Billie Hoque, a commercial manager for a maritime security company, from Luton, has three allergic children – Jess, aged 7, Jude, 4, and Jayde, three months.

Billie, 35, said: “Food allergies first entered our lives when my son Jess was born in February 2017. From birth, Jess was presenting symptoms of allergies, yet I didn’t know it at the time. His constant discomfort and breathing troubles led to numerous doctor visits only to be dismissed as new-mum worries, and I felt unheard and alone.

“The switch from breastmilk to formula was a turning point. After initial acceptance, Jess refused all feeds for three days. When he finally ate, he became violently ill and struggled to breathe. Calls to an emergency doctor offered little help, and when he was prescribed “thicker milk” it triggered a terrifying reaction. This was his first anaphylactic reaction, and the first time the doctor diagnosed him as having a severe milk protein allergy.

“The loneliness and isolation I felt from becoming an allergy parent were all-consuming. The family and friends who I had been closest to, quickly became the ones who made me feel the most alone. They didn’t understand or seem to take seriously what I was going through.

Billie continued: “Life changed for me in June 2021 when I found The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. I found a community – parents united by the fight for awareness. Meeting Nadim and Tanya, who lost their daughter Natasha to allergies, laid bare the heartbreaking truth of this condition. Yet, their strength resonated deeply.

“Though every single allergy story and experience shared through Natasha’s Foundation was different, the community all had one thing in common; we understood the fear, the loneliness, and the exhaustion of the continuous battling needed to keep our children alive. This community transformed me. No longer alone, I found strength and inspiration among these incredible people.

“Today, my purpose is clear. With this supportive network and a collective voice, we can raise awareness and fight for a future free from food allergies. This journey not only saved my sons, but it has also saved me too. I’d urge everyone to support the fantastic work of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and their goal of making food allergies history through research and raising awareness of food allergies.

“Tesco’s Free From range offers my children a chance to be included in all the tasty treats other children enjoy. Their clear labelling on the front of the packaging is not only helpful to me but is easy enough for my 7-year-old to clearly see that a food is safe for him. This limits the anxiety he has around eating new foods.”

Community

Saundersfoot Harbour regeneration project wins national planning award

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAUNDERSFOOT HARBOUR’S redevelopment has been named Best Project at the RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence 2026.

The award recognises Phase 2 of the Saundersfoot Harbour Redevelopment Project, which has helped transform the harbour into a year-round destination with new commercial, community and visitor facilities.

Delivered by Saundersfoot Harbour, with planning input from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the project was praised by judges as “an exemplar for coastal economic resilience in smaller settlements” and “a very good example of planning enabling place-based regeneration.”

Judges highlighted the scheme’s economic and community benefits, including investment, job creation, new local business space, improved public access, year-round activity, major events, and the reuse of brownfield and heritage assets.

They also recognised the role of planners in dealing with design changes, conservation area issues, flood risk, accessibility, and the coordination of several linked schemes within a working harbour.

Sara Morris, Director of Place and Engagement at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said the award was a testament to the value of good planning.

She said: “We are delighted that Phase 2 of the Saundersfoot Harbour Redevelopment Project has been recognised by RTPI Cymru.

“This award is a real testament to the value of good planning in helping places adapt, thrive and deliver lasting benefits for their communities.

“Saundersfoot Harbour is a hugely important location, both locally and strategically, and this project shows how careful planning can support regeneration while respecting the character, heritage and environmental challenges of a coastal setting.

“I would particularly like to thank Andrew Richards and Nicola Gandy, who both led on the planning aspects of the project for the Authority.

“The judges’ comments underline the strength of the partnership approach behind the project, and we are very pleased to see the work of our planning team recognised alongside Saundersfoot Harbour’s ambition and commitment.”

Ted Sangster, Chairman of Saundersfoot Harbour Commission, congratulated the National Park Authority on the award.

He said: “As a trust port, we operate very much as a commercial business but with no shareholders and therefore no dividends to pay. Our strategy is to provide real, long-term benefit for our community and all users of the harbour.

“The successful Phase 2 of the harbour development now provides both an active fishing and recreational sailing harbour and a year-round visitor attraction serving an increasingly diverse range of users, and has created around 100 new jobs so far.

“Our work with local businesses and stakeholders has been greatly assisted by the open and consultative partnership with the National Park, which is based on the shared aim of sustainable economic delivery and social benefit to our community.”

As winner of the Best Project category in Wales, the Saundersfoot Harbour project will now be automatically entered as a finalist in the UK National Awards for Planning Excellence.

The national finalists are due to be announced by the RTPI on October 7, ahead of the UK national finals on December 3.

The National Park Authority also welcomed recognition for the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales, which won the Chair’s Award at the RTPI Cymru Awards.

The guidance was developed by a working group from across Wales, including the Authority’s Principal Planning Officer for Strategic Policy, Gayle Lister.

Sara Morris added: “It is particularly pleasing to see the Dark Skies Guidance for Wales recognised alongside the Saundersfoot Harbour project.

“Protecting dark skies is an important part of caring for the special qualities of Wales’ landscapes, and this guidance reflects the value of collaboration across planning, conservation and environmental disciplines.”

The RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning to make a positive difference to places and communities.

Community

New £5,000 youth green fund launched in memory of West Wales eco-pioneer

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW £5,000 annual grant has been launched in West Wales to support youth-led climate and environmental projects.

Cwm Arian has announced the Daniel Blackburn Memorial Fund for Youth Action, created in memory of its late founding director, Daniel Blackburn.

The fund will award one £5,000 grant each year to a local group developing a bold, sustainable project in West Wales.

Daniel was known for his passion for science, renewable energy and inspiring young people. He brought environmental science to life in memorable and imaginative ways, from classroom demonstrations using toilet rolls to building miniature wind turbines for children to hold and explore.

Cwm Arian said the new fund is intended to continue that creative spirit by helping young people turn community-minded environmental ideas into reality.

The scheme is open to schools, registered charities and youth groups working with people under the age of 18 in North Pembrokeshire, South Ceredigion and West Carmarthenshire.

Cwm Arian is particularly keen to hear from youth-led projects focused on low-carbon living, sustainable transport, renewable energy or environmental ecology.

Young people must be at the heart of the applications, with Cwm Arian looking for projects that have been inspired, shaped and delivered by local youth from start to finish.

The fund has now officially opened, with full criteria and digital application packs available on the Cwm Arian website.

Formal applications will be accepted throughout September and October, with the first grant recipient due to be announced in January 2027.

Cwm Arian said Daniel Blackburn “built the change he advocated for”, pointing to the community wind turbine in Llanfyrnach as a lasting symbol of his tenacity, fundraising and voluntary dedication.

The organisation added that by keeping the fund flexible and open to bold new ideas, it hopes Daniel’s “unique spark” will continue to inspire local change.

Cwm Arian is a community benefit society based in North Pembrokeshire, South Ceredigion and West Carmarthenshire. Established in 2015, it develops community-owned renewable energy projects and supports work linked to woodland restoration, nature recovery, sustainable transport, food growing and community engagement.

Community

Haverfordwest sailor leads crew on final Atlantic crossing of round-the-world yacht race

Published

18 hours ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE sailor is leading a team of non-professional crew members on the final ocean crossing of one of the world’s toughest yacht races.

Lou Boorman, from Haverfordwest, is skipper of Team Tongyeong in the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race.

Her team has now departed Washington, DC, and is heading across the North Atlantic to Oban in Scotland, marking the last major ocean crossing of the global race.

The Clipper Race is unusual because it takes people from all walks of life and trains them to become ocean racers. No previous sailing experience is required.

Each of the ten identical Clipper Race yachts is led by a professional skipper and first mate, with up to 22 non-professional crew members on board. The teams race around the clock for up to 30 days at a time, covering a global route of around 40,000 nautical miles.

Lou has been leading Team Tongyeong since the race began in Portsmouth last August. The team has been representing the South Korean city of Tongyeong throughout the competition.

Speaking ahead of the final Atlantic crossing, Lou said: “It doesn’t feel quite real that we’ve nearly sailed around the world and are one hop across the ocean to home waters!

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A huge challenge. We’ve had three podiums so far and are hungry for more.”

At the time of the release, Team Tongyeong was leading the current stage of the race.

The route from Washington, DC, to Oban is just over 3,000 nautical miles and will see crews face changing weather systems, strong Atlantic currents and the unpredictable conditions that make ocean racing so demanding.

Lou said the challenge had not only been about sailing, but also about leadership.

She said: “In addition to the sailing and the conditions, the challenging part has been about people management and leadership. I’ve had to be a strong leader. That’s what my team expects and needs from me. So the development in this race is incredible.”

She added: “I think it’s going to leave a big hole in my life, leaving this team and leaving the boat. I’m going to have to fill that gap in my life fairly quickly. I’ll miss it too much!”

After ten months at sea, and with just over three weeks of racing remaining, the arrival in Oban will mark a major milestone as the fleet returns to UK waters.

Oban is due to welcome the Clipper Race fleet from Friday, July 10, with a programme of public events allowing visitors to see the yachts and meet the race crews and professional skippers.

From Oban, the teams will race for the final time in the 2025-26 edition, finishing in Portsmouth on Saturday, July 25, where the overall leaderboard positions will be confirmed.

Applications are already open for the 2027-28 edition of the race, which is due to begin next summer.