Charity
Water Safety Wales welcomes Govt pledge to help reduce drowning
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
Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station celebrates refurbishment and RNLI bicentennial
The Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station recently marked two significant milestones with a grand reopening after extensive refurbishment and a special visit as part of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary celebrations.
On Saturday, 7th September, RNLI volunteers, supporters, and crew members gathered to celebrate the lifeboat station’s official reopening following major refurbishment work carried out over the winter months. The updated facilities, designed to bring the station into the 21st century, were unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by the children of the operational crew and supporters. This heartwarming gesture symbolised the passing of responsibility to the next generation of lifesavers.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Andy Grey, expressed his pride in the station’s transformation and the success of the event: “The station opening was extremely successful. Not only did the weather hold out, but personnel from the station, including officers and crew, branch members, and shop volunteers, were in attendance, along with guests from our neighbouring RNLI stations. The occasion truly represented the ‘One Crew’ philosophy. To make it even more special, the children of the crew were invited to formally open the new refurbishment of the station. A lovely gesture but also a great memory.”
The upgraded station now provides state-of-the-art facilities, including a modernised lifeboat shop, which will improve working conditions for the dedicated volunteers. Roger Bryan Smith DL, Area Operations Manager, also highlighted the importance of the refurbishment: “I am absolutely delighted that Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station has been refurbished to such a high standard. The crew devote an immense amount of their spare time to training to save lives at sea, and it’s marvellous that they now have such great facilities.”
Among the attendees were Gemma Gill, Coxswain of Fishguard Lifeboat, and Will Chant, Coxswain of St Davids Lifeboat Station, who showed their support and helped with presentations. The day was filled with a sense of community and celebration of the station’s lifesaving mission.
Later that month, on Wednesday, 25th September, Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station received a special visit as part of the RNLI’s bicentennial year. The RNLI 200 ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll, which bears the lifeboat pledge, arrived at the station as part of its seven-month journey around 240 RNLI locations across the UK and Ireland. The pledge, printed in Welsh, English, and five other languages, celebrates the dedication of RNLI volunteers and their mission to save lives at sea.
Andy Grey, along with other key members of the station, including Shireen Thomas from the shop, Peter Erte from the fundraising branch, and Water Safety Officer Sue Christopher, had the honour of signing the scroll on behalf of the Little and Broad Haven lifeboat community. The scroll, made from materials significant to the charity, will conclude its journey in October on the Isle of Man, where RNLI founder Sir William Hillary was born. Once the journey is complete, the scroll will bear around 700 signatures and be displayed at the RNLI College in Poole.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, overseeing the 200th anniversary programmes, said: “The Connecting our Communities relay is one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year as it’s all about our people. For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is – from our brave lifesavers who risk their lives to save others, to the committed fundraisers and generous donors who fund our lifesaving work.”
By coincidence, the RNLI Porsche 911 Challenge also arrived at the station on the same day. Belinda and James Richardson, who are travelling 8,500 miles in their Porsche 911 to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations within 911 hours, were delighted to encounter the scroll for the first time on their journey. The couple is raising funds for a new D class inshore lifeboat, which is critical to the RNLI’s lifesaving work. In 2023 alone, D class lifeboats saved 96 lives and assisted over 2,000 people in distress.
Andy Grey reflected on the unique timing of the two events: “Today we had a special visit from the RNLI 911 Challenge and the RNLI Scroll. To happen at the same time and on the same day was unique in itself. The beautiful Porsche of the 911 Challenge presented a jigsaw and a special RNLI-themed version of Top Trumps in memory of their visit to all lifeboat stations in the UK. Four members from the station were asked to sign this wonderful scroll, which will be a memory and recognition of the 200-year celebration of the RNLI.”
Jayne George, RNLI Director of Fundraising, expressed her gratitude for the Richardsons’ efforts: “We are so grateful to Belinda and James for taking on this huge challenge and look forward to welcoming them at all our lifeboat stations around the coast. We are only able to save lives at sea thanks to the generous support of people taking on challenges like this.”
As the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea, Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station continues to play a vital role in this enduring mission, with new facilities and a strong community spirit driving them forward into the future.
Charity
Tenby’s lifeboats launch to reports of person missing on coast
BOTH of Tenby’s lifeboats were launched shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, 2nd October, following a report of a person missing between Saundersfoot and Tenby.
The volunteer crews were swiftly on the water, tasked with conducting a coastal search for an individual who had earlier departed Saundersfoot intending to trek to Tenby via the coastal path. Concerns were raised by his family when he did not arrive as expected.
After a brief search, the lifeboats located the missing person lying on rocks between Monkstone and Swallowtree. Crew members trained in casualty care were promptly dispatched ashore by the inshore lifeboat to assess and begin treating the individual. Concurrently, a Coastguard rescue helicopter was deployed from Cardiff.
The helicopter reached the scene just as the casualty was being transferred to the all-weather lifeboat. A paramedic was winched down to the deck where they, alongside the boat’s crew, provided treatment. The lifeboat then returned to Tenby, docking at 8.10 pm.
Upon arrival at the boathouse, the individual was handed over to paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, who subsequently transported him to the hospital for further evaluation.
The operation also saw the participation of HM Coastguard Tenby and Dyfed-Powys Police.
Charity
Community raises over £5,000 for Cardigan footballer with life-changing Injuries
A TIGHT-KNIT community has come together to raise more than £5,000 in support of a Cardigan football player who suffered life-changing injuries in a serious crash last week.
Sean White, a player for Maesglas FC, was a passenger in a car involved in a major road traffic collision on the night of Saturday, 21st September in the Bron-y-Dre area of Cardigan. The 17-year-old sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he has since undergone extensive lifesaving reconstructive surgeries, including thoracic surgery and a tracheostomy.
Emergency services, including police, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and the Wales Air Ambulance, attended the crash scene at around 11.30pm. Following the incident, five people were transported to hospital, one via air ambulance. Police confirmed that two individuals remained in stable condition in hospital, while the other three have been discharged.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with the crash on suspicion of drink-driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and failing to stop. He has since been released on bail as police continue their inquiries. The case was initially referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) but has been passed back to the force for a local investigation.
Sean White, described by his aunt Rowena Reed as “an outgoing, sports-loving 17-year-old,” remains in the intensive care unit at the Heath hospital. He is facing a lengthy recovery period and may require additional surgeries in the future.
In light of the tragic incident, Sean’s friend and Maesglas FC teammate Emma James set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Sean’s family financially during this challenging time. “For those who know Sean, you will know him as a kind, funny, and caring boy who is friends with everyone,” she said. “He loves sports, especially football, and has recently started college.”
Emma’s fundraising effort aimed to raise £3,500 to help ease the financial burden on Sean’s family. However, the local community has rallied around the cause, with the total donations exceeding £5,000 in just a week.
“This will have a profound impact on Sean’s life for the foreseeable future,” said Emma, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support. “He is facing months in hospital before being able to come home and start a long road to recovery.”
The community continues to show its support for Sean and his family. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/seans-family-and-to-ease-the-pressure-financially.
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