FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers are celebrating a week of outstanding achievement, with multiple crew members successfully completing key assessments for both shoreside and seagoing roles.

The intensive week was made possible by a visiting RNLI coxswain from another station who was training to qualify on Fishguard’s class of all-weather lifeboat (ALB). Their presence provided a valuable opportunity for local crew to progress, as several assessments required oversight from a regional RNLI assessor.

On the first day, crew members Bryn and Cedwyn completed their Tier 2 ALB assessments. This involved demonstrating advanced competencies including anchoring, towing, and helming the Search and Rescue vessel without supervision, as well as the ability to assist in supervising others.

Simultaneously, crew member Jessica undertook her practical navigation assessment, followed by a theory paper onshore. She proved her expertise in using the lifeboat’s electronic navigation system, radar, and paper charts, along with a solid understanding of maritime navigation rules. Already a Tier 2 crew member for the inshore lifeboat (ILB), Jessica has now been appointed navigator for both the ALB and ILB.

Day two saw further ILB assessments. Bryn passed both the practical and theory components to qualify as an ILB navigator, while crew member Florian successfully completed his assessment to become an ILB helm. This key role involves commanding and controlling the lifeboat during service launches. Florian achieved this milestone in just two and a half years, thanks to his commitment, residential training, and determination to support the station.

On the third day, Jessica completed another assessment—this time for helming the station’s boarding boat. This retired ILB, normally used as a raft between the ALB and access stairs, requires a qualified helm when used independently, such as when the ALB is on the outer mooring or during training exercises.

The week concluded with a final success: crew member Jayne passed her assessment to become Fishguard’s newest Launch Authority. Having joined the station as a trainee in late 2024, she now serves as the first point of contact for HM Coastguard, authorising launches and briefing the coxswain or helm. She also gathers post-launch information for RNLI Headquarters in Poole.

Fishguard’s strong start to 2025 also saw ILB crew member Rhodri and ALB crew member Nick complete their Tier 1 assessments earlier this year. This stage requires demonstrating competence under instruction and supervision. Both are now working towards Tier 2 qualifications.

Shoreside roles were not left out, with assessments for Plant Operators responsible for launching and recovering the ILB. Cedwyn completed his first assessment, while Chris, Rhys, and Warren successfully underwent their scheduled re-evaluations. All four also qualified as Head Launchers—a new requirement for those overseeing ILB launch preparations.

Station coxswain Gemma Gill praised the team’s efforts, saying:

“It is fantastic to see the achievements of crew who were still relatively new when I joined the station last year. The charity introduced a new training and assessment framework last April, and these enthusiastic crew picked up the baton and really ran with it. They have all shown determination over the last 12 months in training, and pushing themselves to achieve, putting them in a position of real value to the station.”

“Everyone who joins us on the crew here in Fishguard is on their own journey and travels at their own speed, but they’ll always have the support of a great group of volunteers.

If anyone is interested in starting their journey, please get in touch with us via our social media channels—we’re on Facebook and Instagram.”

A VIRAL social media post accusing a man of stealing £4,000 from a veterans’ charity has been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by a senior member of the organisation.

The post, shared over 2,100 times on Facebook, was made by campaigner Eddy Cooper and alleges that Darren Edmundson – also known as Pembrokeshire Patriot – took money raised for PTSD Camp Bath while entrusted with access to the charity’s accounts.

However, when contacted by The Herald, a man who identified himself as the second in command at PTSD Camp Bath — and asked not to be named — strongly criticised the post and distanced the charity from its claims.

He told The Herald: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition and if he is going down to Pembrokeshire to find [Darren], then he is doing that on his own.”

“It was very irresponsible of Eddy Cooper to have shared that post on Facebook. I am not on there myself so I have not seen anything.”

He added that he remains in contact with Darren Edmundson, who has reportedly lost his phone but is communicating via email. “We understand that he is down in Pembrokeshire as he has ‘welfare business’ there and we expect him to return.”

On the key allegation of financial misconduct, he said: “Darren has no access to money which is ringfenced, and as of yet the accusation is unsubstantiated, as we have not seen the account to see that any money is missing.”

The man also disputed one of the more serious claims in the post — that Mr Edmundson had “ripped off” a 73-year-old former Royal Marine staying at the camp.

“That accusation is false,” he said. “Because that is me. I shall be having a word with Eddy Cooper.”

“If we see money is missing then it becomes a police matter”

He confirmed that the organisation is aware of the concerns raised and said a formal statement will be issued shortly.

The Herald spoke to Jo Drayson who runs the camp with her husband Dion. Mrs Drayson confirmed that she had been in contact with the police, and that she was advised it could be a civil matter.

This is because Darren is generally legally authorised to make payments from the charity’s account as the account holder.

She said that she had not yet contacted her bank, SumUp, to find out if the money had been spent but was intending to contact them shortly.

She said she thought it may be difficult to access the account because she was told Darren had allegedly changed the passwords and taken her off as a signatory.

The Herald has approached Avon and Somerset Police for comment.

Darren Briggs recognised for years of support for lifesaving charity

PEMBROKESHIRE businessman Darren Briggs has been named the first-ever Business Ambassador for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, recognising his long-standing support and commitment to the lifesaving service.

The 54-year-old entrepreneur, who founded Ascona Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, said he was “totally honoured” to take on the new role.

Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr Sue Barnes, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Briggs as the Wales Air Ambulance Charity’s first business ambassador. This role recognises Darren’s exceptional commitment to our lifesaving service.”

Ascona Group operates sixty-two forecourts across the UK, including twenty in Wales, and recently announced the acquisition of three more in Mid Wales. The business has supported the Charity for many years, raising more than £168,000 in the past three years alone.

Dr Barnes added: “Ascona Group has helped fundraise an extraordinary amount of money for our Charity over the years and continues to do so.

“We are hugely grateful for the incredible platform we have been given at forecourts across Wales, and to the generous customers who have donated to our lifesaving cause.

“Darren’s appointment comes at a significant time for our Charity as we prepare to mark our 25th anniversary in 2026. We hope to continue to draw upon his expertise in the years ahead.”

Darren acquired his first forecourt site in 2011. Between 2018 and 2022—during the Covid pandemic—he expanded rapidly from two sites to sixty-two. Now employing almost nine hundred people, the Ascona Group serves around 300,000 customers a week and dispenses 4.5 million litres of fuel weekly—equivalent to eighteen tankers per day.

He said: “It is incredibly special to be the Business Ambassador for Wales Air Ambulance. It’s particularly important that I can use my business skills and network to promote the service even more.

“I will always support Wales Air Ambulance. It is a key service for the people of Wales and has saved thousands of lives since 2001. It even came to the aid of one of my longest-serving employees, who is thankfully still with us.”

Darren has also teamed up with award-winning fintech charity Pennies, enabling customers to make micro-donations at checkouts when paying by card or digital wallet. Ascona Group matches each donation, and the scheme has already raised £68,000 in just over six months.

“We are offering our customers the opportunity to donate 30p each time they fill up or shop, and we will match fund up to £100,000,” Darren said.

“It costs £11.2 million every year to keep the Wales Air Ambulance helicopters and rapid response vehicles operating. We want to do all we can to help. It’s also important to give back because the service is there for everyone in the communities where we operate.

“We are only a successful business because of our customers, and this is our way of saying thank you.”

Ascona Group has sites across north, mid, west, and south Wales, and others as far afield as Scotland, Hastings and Dorking. Darren said the business plans to continue expanding over the next two years while maintaining strong support for the Charity.

Darren, who holds a pilot’s licence, has visited several of the Charity’s airbases and met the Wales Air Ambulance Royal Patron, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, during a visit to the Dafen site in September 2024.

“It was a great honour to meet His Royal Highness,” Darren said. “The Prince of Wales is so passionate about the work of the Charity and took time to talk with everyone.

“When you meet the clinicians and they tell you about the kind of scenarios they’ve been involved with, it is truly humbling.

“What they do, day-to-day, is unbelievable. It is fantastic that we have such a service available in Wales that can help those facing life or limb-threatening situations.

“That is why it is so important for Ascona Group to support the Wales Air Ambulance in the way we do. It’s deeply moving to know that each time we raise money, we are helping save lives.”

Lifesaving work across Wales

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service, bringing hospital-standard treatment to patients at the scene and, where needed, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital. It operates through 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 helicopters and vehicles. They can administer anaesthesia, carry out blood transfusions, and perform minor surgical procedures on site.

As a pan-Wales service, the Charity’s crews travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency care where it is most urgently needed.

The Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to maintain its operations. Darren Briggs’s new ambassadorial role is expected to play a significant part in supporting this vital mission.