Charity

Angle RNLI responds to four emergencies in just one week

Published

5 months ago

July 14, 2024

THE ANGE RNLI All-Weather Lifeboat has had an eventful week, launching four times to respond to emergency calls along the coast.

Woman rescued after being cut off by tide

On Sunday, 7th July, at 1:10 pm, the lifeboat was dispatched following a 999 call from concerned walkers on the Marloes coast path. The walkers reported hearing a female voice shouting for help at the base of the cliffs.

The lifeboat crew arrived at the scene within 20 minutes and located a woman stranded on the shoreline, cut off by the rising tide. The inflatable Y boat was deployed to retrieve her. It was discovered that she had been stuck since the previous day, spending the night using her torch to signal for help due to a lack of mobile phone reception.

After recovering the casualty and transferring her to the Mackerel Stage at Milford, she was handed over to the Dale Coastguard Rescue Team. With no further assistance needed, the lifeboat crew returned to their station.

Schooner in distress near The Smalls Lighthouse

On Thursday, 11th July, at 6:05 pm, the crew was paged again, this time to assist a 100-ton schooner with a broken bow sprit approximately 4 miles west of The Smalls Lighthouse. Concerned that the damaged bow sprit might pierce the hull, the vessel requested help.

The Angle RNLI lifeboat and St David’s Lifeboat both responded to the call. Upon arrival, the crews found the schooner with the bow sprit still submerged. Unable to secure it, the vessel had been heading south to mitigate the conditions until assistance arrived.

Once the bow sprit was secured, the lifeboats escorted the schooner to Dale, where it anchored. St David’s Lifeboat was stood down, and Angle RNLI continued the escort, arriving at around 1 am. After ensuring no further assistance was needed, the crew returned to their station.

Vessel drifting onto rocks at Frainslake

On Saturday, 14th July, at 1:28 pm, the All-Weather Lifeboat launched following a distress call about a small vessel drifting onto rocks at Frainslake, Freshwater West.

Despite two local vessels responding, they were unable to assist due to the shallow water and proximity to the rocks. The lifeboat crew deployed their inflatable Y boat to establish a tow line and successfully towed the vessel to Milford Marina. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to readiness shortly after.

Early morning rescue at Lindsway Beach

In the early hours of Sunday, 14th July, at 1:55 am, the lifeboat launched again after a report of a person in the water at Lindsway Beach. Arriving at the scene, the crew found two people in the water. The inflatable Y boat was swiftly deployed to recover both individuals.

One of the casualties became unresponsive and was immediately transferred to the lifeboat, where the crew raced to the Mackerel Stage at Milford. Upon arrival, paramedics took over the care of the casualties.

Dale and Broad Haven Coastguard Rescue Teams, Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R187, and the police were also involved in the incident.

With the casualties safely handed over, the lifeboat crew returned to their station, ready for further service by 3 am.

Charity

Set a New Year Challenge and explore Pembrokeshire for animals in 2025

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ANIMAL lovers in Pembrokeshire looking to set an exciting goal for 2025 can now sign up for the RSPCA’s fundraising challenges, including the iconic Tour of Pembrokeshire on 24 May 2025.

From scenic bike rides to adrenaline-fueled adventures, the RSPCA is encouraging participants to embrace a challenge that not only benefits their health but also helps animals in need.

Abi Mustard, Events Manager at the RSPCA, said: “If you’re looking for a unique challenge for the New Year, the Tour of Pembrokeshire offers a perfect blend of stunning coastal views, physical endurance, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare.”

The Tour of Pembrokeshire is renowned for showcasing some of the most breathtaking routes in Wales, attracting cyclists of all abilities. Participants will navigate challenging climbs, rolling hills, and picturesque landscapes, all while raising crucial funds for the RSPCA’s work in rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals across Wales.

Abi added: “Every mile cycled and every pound raised makes a difference. You’ll not only experience the beauty of Pembrokeshire but also become part of a dedicated team working to stop animal cruelty and neglect.”

Why Join the RSPCA Tour of Pembrokeshire Challenge?

Personalised support from the RSPCA events team
RSPCA branded cycling jersey once fundraising reaches £50
Access to a dedicated events Facebook group for tips and encouragement
Cheering packs for family and friends on event day

More RSPCA Challenges Across Wales in 2025

Chepstow Half Marathon: 26 January
ABP Newport Wales Marathon: 13 April
Gower Peninsula Challenge: 19–20 July
Snowdon Triple: 18–19 August
Cardiff Half Marathon: 5 October

Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or a first-time fundraiser, the Tour of Pembrokeshire offers an unforgettable experience with a purpose.

To sign up or request a fundraising pack, visit the RSPCA website today and start your journey towards making a difference—for yourself and for animals in need.

Together, let’s make 2025 a year of action, compassion, and achievement.

Charity

NatWest Cymru encourages customers in Wales to spread Christmas cheer

Published

5 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NATWEST has introduced a new way for its customers to support Social Bite in the fight against homelessness this festive season.

Through its mobile app based MyRewards programme, customers can now easily donate their available Rewards (over £5) to buy someone experiencing homelessness a Christmas dinner with Social Bite. NatWest has also pledged to match all donations to any of its 16 MyRewards charities, including Social Bite, up to the value of £50 until 31st December, up to a total of £150,000.

The initiative comes as part of Social Bite’s ‘Festival of Kindness’ – an annual mission that aims to provide 300,000 meals, gifts, and essential items to people who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmas.

NatWest has previously worked with the Scottish charity to open a coffee outlet for colleagues and visitors in its Royal Bank HQ in the capital Edinburgh, as well as launching a public coffee shop at its site at 440 Strand, London.

Since the launch of Festival of Kindness in 2020, Social Bite has successfully distributed 1.1 million meals, gifts, and essentials to people who are homeless during the festive period.

Jessica Shipman, Chair, NatWest Cymru Regional Board, said: “Social Bite makes a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The festive season often brings into focus the hardship so many face every day.

“We know that people want to help but don’t know how. We’re excited to support Social Bite’s inspiring ‘Festival of Kindness’ initiative, giving our customers a way to gift a homeless person a warm meal.

“We encourage everyone to join in and help make the festive season a little brighter for the most vulnerable in our society.”

Josh Littlejohn MBE, Founder of Social Bite, added: “Social Bite is proud to have had the support of NatWest for a number of years, and together, we’ve made great strides to help people break the cycle of homelessness.

“For many of us, Christmas is a period where we look forward to spending time with friends, family and loved ones. However, the reality is very different for people without a place to call home over the festive season. With homelessness rising across the UK, it’s more important than ever that we do what we can to help people affected by homelessness and food poverty.

“A big thank you to all the wonderful NatWest customers who chose to donate their rewards to Social Bite. Your contribution will make a real difference to someone in need, including a hot meal with all the trimmings in loving company on Christmas Day.”

To find out more about NatWest’s MyRewards and the other charities which are being supported, please visit: https://personal.secure1.natwest.com/app/MyRewards

Information on Social Bite’s Festival can be found: https://www.social-bite.co.uk/

Charity

Flats for veterans to be built at VC Gallery, Pembroke Dock

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to build flats for armed forces veterans on a former Pembrokeshire school yard/playing field next to veterans’ charity the VC Gallery has been approved by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, veterans’ charity The VC Gallery sought permission for eight flats in two blocks of two-storey buildings, including wheelchair accessible flats, for Armed Forces veterans on land to the east of the former St Marys Catholic School site, Britannia Road, Pembroke Dock.

The former school, which closed in 2019, is currently used as the VC Gallery, itself an expansion of veterans’ charity the VC Gallery’s home in Haverfordwest, set up by Barry John MBE.

Documentation, through agent Pembroke Design Limited included a supporting statement by Barry John MBE, which it says “explains the issues that veterans face after leaving the services, the need for dedicated housing provision, the support that VC Gallery’s staff and volunteers provide and the gaps in current provision which the proposed development will help address”.

It added: “Although the development will provide and encourage independent living for its tenants, essential physical and mental support will be provided by the staff and volunteers in the VC Gallery as required, in accordance with individual veterans’ needs. Many will need a high level of support and the close proximity of the flats to the facilities and people on hand in the adjacent VC Gallery is therefore critical to the proposal’s purpose.”

Mr John’s statement said: “We want to create a unique offer to Armed Forces veterans in Pembrokeshire by offering up not just quality accommodation in a gated and safe environment but to also have a bespoke peer mentoring service.”

He added: “Working alongside our stakeholders The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the OVA (Office of Veterans Affairs) we have secured a grant to draw up plans and to look at how the secured land at the VC Gallery Pembroke Dock can be turned into a bespoke housing solution for Armed Forces Veterans.

“We have Service level agreements with the local authority for specifically supporting tenancy in veterans which will also extend to giving vital counselling services. Our work with the health board and provision for peer mentorship also gives us great grounding for effective help on a practical level for the veterans’ village but we will need a more designated package around the housing we provide to include both mental health and also maintenance (something we don’t have at present).”

His statement finished: “We think the need is great, we have the land, we have the skills for care and the ambition to help. It would be a project above all social housing enterprises, and we want to make a go of it.”