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Charity

Dyfed Mark Masons support LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity

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DYFED Mark Masons chosen charity for support at the recent Annual Meeting was LATCH the Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity – LATCH supports the children and their families who are being treated by the Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, whose catchment area stretches from Chepstow in the South to Aberystwyth in the North. Around 70 new cases are diagnosed every year.

When this was announced it was a lovely surprise for one of our members, Martin Thomas of Herbrandston, as he was well aware of the support Latch can give.

When Martin’s daughter Bethany was a baby he and his wife Alison were given the devastating news that she was suffering from cancer. As Bethany fought the illness Martin and Alison received emotional and practical support from the LATCH team, which they have never forgotten.

Thankfully Bethany made a full recovery and is currently taking a degree course at the University of West of England Bristol.

The charity helps to fund the purchase of medical equipment and facilities. In 2021 it funded the full refurbishment of the Paediatric Oncology (Rainbow) Ward. LATCH understands the financial and emotional burden faced by families caring for a child with cancer and support is provided as needed during the child’s treatment by a team of dedicated social workers. Free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation is also provided to keep families together during a child’s stay.

LATCH recognizes that activities and treats can help boost morale and keep children occupied so it organizes weekly painting sessions and music therapy on Rainbow Ward. It also arranges family outings and offers caravan holidays in Tenby and Porthcawl to provide valuable respite.

The charity is supported by a team of volunteer Ambassadors who help co-ordinate activities and raise awareness of LATCH in their local areas. One such Ambassador is Helen Gravelle from Carmarthen area, who personally suffered the heartache of having a child with cancer. At the meeting with Dyfed Mark Masons she spoke emotionally about the strain it places on families and how LATCH provides vital support at an extremely difficult time.

The cheque was handed to Helen by the Provincial Grand Master Gary Hicks who said “I am delighted to make this donation to LATCH who continue to provide care and support to families across Wales that are faced with the situation we all dread, that of having a very sick child.”

Dyfed Mark Masons belong to an order of Freemasonry and their membership is spread across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Charity is at the forefront of everything they do.

  • Pictured above at the presentation of the cheque for £1,000 are, left to right, Martin and Alison Thomas, Dyfed Mark Charity Steward Steve Thurgood, Helen Gravelle from LATCH and Dyfed Mark Provincial Grand Master Gary Hicks.

Charity

Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

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THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.

Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.

Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.

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Charity

Veterans rally to repair storm damage in Milford Haven

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MILFORD HAVEN’S VC Gallery veterans have stepped up to restore a woodland area hit hard by recent high winds.

The Woodlands in Milford suffered significant damage, with fallen trees crashing onto a farmer’s fence, endangering livestock and damaging the enclosure.

In response, a team of veterans, including trustee Mark Shuttleworth, Simon, Steve, and volunteer of the year Donna Evans, was deployed to clear the trees and rebuild the fencing.

The Woodlands project, run by VC Gallery, offers opportunities for people to connect with nature while learning about biodiversity and conservation.

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Charity

New charity offers grants to young people in Pembrokeshire

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A NEW charity aimed at supporting young people in Pembrokeshire has been established and is now accepting applications for its first round of grants.

The Tenby & County Trust (TACT) was created using funds from the sale of the former Tenby & County Club on The Croft, with the aim of helping young people aged between five and 18 pursue their aspirations.

Trustee David Blackmore explained: “The purpose of TACT is to provide grants that enable young people in Pembrokeshire to follow their ambitions, whether in the creative arts, culture, sports, adventure, science, or languages.”

Substantial investment

Following the sale of the County Club for redevelopment, club members—who were entitled to a share of the proceeds—voted to establish a charity to benefit local youth.

“The money has been invested, and while we are not disclosing the exact amount, it is a considerable six-figure sum,” said Mr Blackmore.

The trust is managed by local trustees, all of whom have either been involved with the former County Club or played significant roles in education within Pembrokeshire.

How to apply

Young people interested in applying for a grant must submit an application via email. This should include the names and email addresses of two supporting sponsors and a statement of no more than 500 words outlining how they would use the funds, including a breakdown of costs.

Grants will be issued quarterly, with the next application deadline set for March 1, 2025. Grants are only available to individuals.

For more information, email [email protected] or visit tenbyandcountytrust.org.

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