Charity

Cycling enthusiasts complete mammoth challenge on tandem bike

Published

1 year ago

May 23, 2024

AGAINST all odds two cycling enthusiasts from Pembrokeshire have completed a mammoth challenge on a tandem called ‘Jean’ in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity.

Lee Berridge and John Mumberson, even slept in ditches as they took part in the nearly 300-mile, two-and-a-half-day event which starts and ends in Plymouth.

The pair wanted to “put money into a charity that has helped several people” they know who have been “airlifted out”.

The bike ride was no easy feat both were recovering from accidents themselves when they signed up.

49-year-old Lee had to have back surgery after a horrendous fall whilst on a work training programme. Whilst John injured his wrist and broke facial bones after falling in his garden.

Lee said: “I was learning new rigging techniques to do my summer job because I try and do festivals and different circus events that are on then.

“A piece of equipment came undone or failed. Nobody is sure what happened, but I fell six and a half metres, straight to the floor and shattered three vertebrae.

“I wasn’t airlifted out, but I was blue lighted to the nearest hospital that could do the best operation that I needed.”

He added: “I have also had several motorbike friends that have all been airlifted off site. Some recovered, some did not.

“A friend’s brother had a car accident a few weeks ago. He was airlifted out but sadly died the next day.

“His sister did a sponsored run, and it was that, that inspired and prompted me to want to fundraise for the charity.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique Third sector and Public Sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity’s vehicles.

Lee says the air ambulance does “incredible work” and he wanted to say thank you by fundraising.

He said: “I have done lots of long-distance events, but only for myself. I have never done it to raise money for anything else.”

A biking enthusiast, whilst Lee was recovering from his injuries a friend of his asked him if he wanted to buy a tandem. That is when he was introduced to ‘Jean.’

He said: “I have two tandems already. I do not actually ride any of them, but this one came up I just thought I’ll buy it, do it up and sell it to make money, while I’m not actually working,

“But it transpired that I’d actually cycled with the original owners that got the bicycle made – so I bought it.”

Back in 2023, Lee and John had planned to do the Trans Dorset race but because of their accidents they had to put their fundraising on hold. When entry for the Trans Devon opened, they signed up.

Lee said: “We decided that we would do it on a tandem and we were the only tandem in the race. Everybody else who was on solo bikes was carrying as little amount of stuff as possible.

“But me and John, we just took all our own camping equipment and we literally slept on car parks in the front porch of a church and went over some of the most scrawling hills.”

So, far the pair have raised just over £1,000 and they are already planning more fundraising events.

Lee said: “The air ambulance is amazing it has helped so many people. It really should not take a charity to do what it does.

“It should not have to be raising its own money to run a lifesaving service.

“That is why I want to do as much as I can to help, and we are already planning two more rides this year.”

Wales Air Ambulance’s Head of Fundraising Mark Stevens said: “We are hugely grateful that Lee and John took on the Trans Devon in aid of our charity. They navigated some challenges, sleeping under the stars, covering unfamiliar terrain and on a tandem too!

“We need to raise £11.2 million each year to keep our helicopters in the sky and rapid response vehicles on the road.

“By helping us hit that target we are able to help thousands of people each year who are critically ill or injured thanks to the kindness of our supporters.”

Charity

Charity golf day to support Blood Bikes Wales

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY golf day in aid of Blood Bikes Wales is set to take place at Milford Haven Golf Club on Friday, July 18.

Organised by Peter Kraus, the event aims to raise at least £1,500 for the lifesaving volunteer service, which transports essential medical items on behalf of the NHS completely free of charge.

Peter said: “This is a vital service that none of us knows when we or our loved ones might need. Every Blood Biker is a volunteer, and they do it all to help save lives.”

The event will follow the Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to take part. Entry is £50 per team, and both sponsors and players are still being sought.

“With running costs constantly rising, your support is more important than ever,” added Peter. “Let’s give this incredible team of volunteers the support they truly deserve.”

For more information or to enter a team, contact Peter Kraus on 07867 765716 or 07900 324287, or speak to Tom Hilling at the Milford Haven Golf Club Pro Shop on 01646 697822.

Charity

Tributes paid as RNLI lifeboat coxswain Frankie George MBE passes away

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Respected Fishguard seaman served for two decades and led hundreds of launches

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Fishguard RNLI coxswain Francis ‘Frankie’ George MBE, who has died.

Mr George, who retired in 2002 after nearly twenty years of dedicated service, was described as one of the finest seamen of his generation. During his time with the lifeboat station, he took part in hundreds of service launches and was deeply respected throughout the lifeboat community.

Chris Williams, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager and former lifeboat mechanic, said: “Francis (Frankie) George MBE was quite simply one of the finest seamen I have ever sailed with. He engendered respect from all who met him.

“His professionalism and skill were second to none, and he inspired total confidence in his crews, even in the foulest of weather.

“With his passing, Fishguard has lost one of its true characters. He will be missed by all who knew him. As a mark of respect, the flag above the lifeboat station will be flown at half-mast.”

The RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat crew extended their heartfelt condolences to Mr George’s family and friends.

Respected coxswain: Frankie George MBE led hundreds of lifeboat launches from Fishguard (Pic: RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat)

Charity

Community effort raises over £6,000 in memory of Milford girl Honey Foxx

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

2,400 cupcakes baked and sold in emotional fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

A REMARKABLE community fundraiser in memory of a Milford Haven schoolgirl has raised more than £6,000 — with cakes still flying off the shelves.

The event, called Honey’s Big Birthday Bake Off, saw friends and family of 12-year-old Honey Foxx French come together to bake, decorate and box an astonishing 2,400 cupcakes, sold in boxes of six to raise money for Wales Air Ambulance.

Honey passed away unexpectedly at her home in October last year. This month would have marked her 13th birthday, and her family chose to honour her memory by supporting the service that helped them on the day of her death.

Led by Honey’s mother, Jessica Foxx, and her partner Alan French, the bake off took place in Johnston, with supporters working round the clock to meet demand. The original goal was to sell 100 boxes — but by the end, they had taken 400 orders, with many more donations still coming in.

Jessica said: “We’ve cried happy tears doing this for Honey. The support has been overwhelming. I never imagined it would grow this big.”

In the days leading up to the main bake off, additional fundraising events took place — including a raffle and a lively challenge dubbed Honey Bees Wax Off, which saw family friend Kevin Higgins undergo a sponsored chest wax in the pub to boost donations.

Photos shared online captured the scale of the effort, showing tables stacked with yellow cupcake cases, trays of pink sugar decorations, and box after box carefully packed and labelled with Honey’s name and a bee-themed tribute.

Volunteers described the atmosphere as “emotional but electric,” with many working into the early hours to make sure every last cupcake was finished and delivered on time.

The fundraiser has now surpassed £6,000, all of which will go to support the Wales Air Ambulance’s lifesaving work.

A spokesperson for the charity said they were “incredibly grateful” for the donation, calling it “a beautiful way to honour Honey’s memory and help save lives across Wales.”

The family say they’re not done yet, with more boxes still being collected and ideas already forming for next year.