Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Charity

Water Safety Wales welcomes Govt pledge to help reduce drowning

Published

on

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.’

Charity

Charity golf tournament to raise funds for Blood Bikes Wales

Published

on

A CHARITY golf tournament is set to take place at Milford Haven Golf Club on Friday, August 23rd, with the aim of raising £2000 for Blood Bikes Wales, a volunteer organisation dedicated to saving lives.

Organised by local volunteer Peter Kraus, the 18-hole Texas Scramble promises to be an exciting day for golf enthusiasts, with prizes for the top three teams, as well as awards for the longest drive and closest to the pin. Teams of four can enter for a fee of £50.

Peter expressed his determination to reach the fundraising goal: “I am determined to raise £2000 at the Charity Golf Day on 23rd August for Blood Bikes Wales (Pembrokeshire). They are all volunteers like myself, and saving lives is all they think about.”

The event not only seeks to attract golfers but also sponsors to ensure the success of the fundraiser. Kraus emphasized the importance of community support, stating, “Having this message on your website will definitely make it happen.”

Golfers and sponsors interested in participating or contributing to the event can register their teams or get more information by contacting Peter Kraus directly via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07867765716. Alternatively, the Milford Haven Golf Club Pro Shop can be reached on 01646 697822 ext 2.

Join the Milford Haven community in supporting a noble cause while enjoying a day of golf, camaraderie, and competition. Your participation could help save lives.

Event details:

  • Event: Charity Golf Tournament
  • In Aid Of: Blood Bikes Wales
  • Format: 18-Hole Texas Scramble
  • Date: Friday, August 23rd
  • Teams: 4 players per team
  • Entry Fee: £50 per team
  • Prizes: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place; Longest Drive; Closest to the Pin
  • Location: Milford Haven Golf Club

For more information, please contact:

  • Peter Kraus: [email protected] or 07867765716
  • Milford Haven Golf Club Pro Shop: 01646 697822 ext 2
Continue Reading

Charity

Paul Sartori secures grant from the Albert Hunt Trust

Published

on

PAUL SARTORI Hospice at Home have been well-supported by a major national giving trust, The Albert Hunt Trust, over recent years. Their support of £96,000 since 2017 has been invaluable to the charity and has helped to support the core service ensuring families are supported at end of life. This year (2024) has been no different to other years, where they have gracefully supported Paul Sartori with an annual donation towards its end-of-life home nursing care service.

This year, however, The Albert Hunt Trust have awarded this Pembrokeshire-based charity a substantial sum of £30,000. This is not only in recognition of all UK hospices facing funding cuts, but also the continuing challenge of the rise in the cost of living and increases in all bills borne by the charity. Of course, the charity has seen an increase in demand for its services, which continues to rise year after year.

This support is vital for the charity to continue to provide the range of services and to support many local families with a life limiting diagnosis, especially during the cost-of-living crisis with rising costs putting a strain on many charities.

This grant will contribute towards the flexible and responsive Home Nursing Care Service delivered in the county by the team at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. They offer a 24/7 on-call facility, a standby service, rapid response, as well as Registered Nurse attendance for symptom management. Working closely with other health and social care professionals they complement statutory services to deliver the right care tailored to meet the needs of end-of-life patients, their families and carers. The support provided by the charity is regarded as “invaluable”, a “great comfort” and makes “a difficult time so much easier”.

The donation will help towards providing supportive care at night so family members can get much-needed rests; will enable families to access the fast-track service, and more importantly enable families to be at home together.

“I am delighted to take this opportunity to give our thanks to the Albert Hunt Trust for their very generous donation of £30,000,” said Phil Thompson MBE, Vice Chair of Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, “This is not the first time they have helped us either; they have supported our charity since 2017, to the tune of a massive £96,000. Thank you very much. At times like this, words don’t seem enough, but believe me, we are extremely grateful.”

“The Albert Hunt trust is committed, as far as possible, to continue to provide unrestricted core funding for hospice care for the remaining years of operation and until the Trust’s entire resources have been spent. Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has received faithful support as they continue their work in Pembrokeshire,” said Jane Deller Ray, Operations Manager at The Albert Hunt Trust.

The Albert Hunt Trust was established in recognition of the successful businessman, Mr Albert Hunt, who died in 1957. He left his business jointly to two ladies: Miss Florence I Reakes (his niece) and Miss Mary K Coyle. Miss Reakes and Miss Coyle established the Trust in Albert Hunt’s name in 1979. Miss Reakes died in 1996 and Miss Coyle in 2000. They kindly bequeathed the bulk of their estates to the Trust, providing it with a significant endowment. This enabled the trust to increase its active support of charitable causes. Since the trust was established, significant sums have been paid as grants. However, the Trust plans to spend its entire resources by 2029.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has been providing a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness for over 40 years. The support now includes home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning and training. The services provided enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish. All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of supporters near and far.

Further information on the charity, and its services, visit their website www.paulsartori.org, or phone 01437 763223.

Continue Reading

Charity

Calls for help over VHF radio may have been a hoax, say RNLI

Published

on

THE ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch on service at 10:23am this morning, Monday (July 22).

Following a call to the Coastguard from Milford Haven VTS, the crew were tasked after the VTS operators overheard a female voice calling for help on VHF channel 12.

After narrowing down the transmission to having been received on the Pembroke aerial site, the crew were requested to conduct a search.

Launching at 10:30am, the lifeboat made best speed to the moorings at Hazelbeach, and a hasty search was requested by the Coastguard of any moored vessels. The crew began making their way amongst the moorings, heading up to the moorings off Neyland. With nothing untoward sighted, the crew proceeded to search the moorings off Hobbs Point, Barnlake Point, Burton, Llanion and Rudders Boat Yard.

With nothing found, the Coastguard requested that the crew continue their search up river to Picton Point. The lifeboat continued searching up the western shore encompassing Llangwm before altering course just past Landshipping and searching the eastern shore back down the river, calling in to Lawrenny on the way to check any vessels moored there.

The RNLI said that the search continued back down as far as the Cleddau Bridge.

On Facebook the organisation posted :”Following a thorough visual, communications and radar search the crew were subsequently stood down when no further information or calls had been received.

“The tasking was therefore deemed to be a hoax call.

“The lifeboat was back alongside and readied for further service by 1pm.”

Continue Reading

News2 days ago

Hywel Dda’s decision to close St Davids Surgery sparks outrage

Hywel Dda University Health Board has decided to close St Davids Surgery, leaving patients, especially the elderly with limited travel...

Community2 days ago

It’s a girl! Manor Wildlife Park confirms sex of tiger cub Zaza

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD is excited to share the latest update from Manor Wildlife Park, situated on the outskirts of Tenby...

News3 days ago

Eluned Morgan appointed new Leader of Welsh Labour

ELUNED MORGAN MS has been appointed the new leader of Welsh Labour. Morgan has served as Welsh Labour MS for...

Crime3 days ago

Stalking victim in plea for indefinite restraining order

A STALKING victim has made an impassioned plea before a judge sitting at Haverfordwest magistrates court to impose an indefinite...

News3 days ago

Systemic failings within the fire service led to firefighter’s death

THE TRAGIC death of a firefighter during a training exercise almost five years ago has been officially ruled as an...

Crime4 days ago

Town centre ‘stinking of skunk’ as police strip cannabis farm

POLICE in Milford Haven have been investigating an illegal cannabis grow in a disused bar on Charles Street. From the...

News4 days ago

Eluned Morgan announces bid to become Wales’ first female First Minister

ELUNED MORGAN has officially declared her candidacy to succeed Vaughan Gething as Wales’ First Minister. The current health secretary is...

Business4 days ago

Pembrokeshire Creamery launches Blas y Tir Welsh milk brand

AS the only BRCGS-accredited liquid milk facility in Wales, it is exclusively producing 100% authentic Welsh milk for retailers in...

Business5 days ago

RWE and Dragon join forces for Milford Haven CO2 Project

RWE, the largest power generator in Wales, and Dragon, an industry leader in LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), are proud to...

News5 days ago

Health Secretary Eluned Morgan eyes Welsh Labour leadership

ELUNED MORGAN has announced she is “giving serious consideration” to standing for the leadership of Welsh Labour and, by extension,...

Popular This Week