RNLI LIFEGUARDS have saved more than 300 lives in Wales since patrols were first introduced in Pembrokeshire in 2008, as the charity prepares to return to beaches for the Easter holidays.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution said its lifeguards have saved 315 lives across Wales, aided more than 45,000 people, and responded to over 26,000 incidents. They have also carried out more than six million preventative actions to stop situations becoming emergencies.

The service, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, will see lifeguards return to key Welsh beaches from Saturday (Mar 28) as schools break up for Easter.

In Pembrokeshire, patrols will resume at Whitesands, St Davids, from March 28 to April 12, and at Tenby South from April 3 to April 6.

The RNLI said its lifeguards play a crucial role in keeping beachgoers safe, with around 95 per cent of their work focused on prevention, including advising swimmers, identifying hazards, and educating visitors.

Tom John, a Lifeguard Supervisor in Swansea who joined the service in 2009, said: “We’ve seen more people visiting our beaches each year. While the fundamentals remain the same, we are now a much more proactive service.

“Our training and equipment are excellent, and we have a brilliant team. This time of year is always special as lifeguards return with energy and enthusiasm for the season ahead.”

He added that lifeguards spend much of their time engaging with the public, offering safety advice, and helping people understand the risks before incidents occur.

Across Wales, more than 35 beaches are now patrolled by RNLI lifeguards, forming part of a wider UK network covering over 245 beaches.

The charity is urging anyone heading to the coast this Easter to choose a lifeguarded beach and to swim between the red and yellow flags.

Visitors are also advised to check weather and tide conditions, understand local hazards, and carry a means of calling for help when taking part in water activities.

The RNLI’s “Float to Live” advice remains central to its safety message. Anyone who gets into difficulty in the water is urged to float on their back, keeping their airway clear until help arrives.

In an emergency, people should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The RNLI said its lifeguards will continue to play a vital role in protecting coastal communities and visitors as demand on beaches grows year on year.

Pembrokeshire singers raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance during 25th anniversary year

A PEMBROKESHIRE a cappella group has been praised for supporting a lifesaving service during a landmark year for the charity.

The “Barnhowlers” recently busked at Cardigan Guildhall Market, raising funds for Wales Air Ambulance as it marks its 25th anniversary.

Since its first flight on March 1, 2001, the service has carried out more than 56,000 missions across Wales, delivering critical care to patients wherever it is needed.

Pam Jones, 74, who lives near Fishguard, said the cause was close to many people’s hearts.

“Most people know someone who has needed the Wales Air Ambulance,” she said.

“I know two people who are thankfully still with us because they received critical care from the service. It makes an incredible difference to patient outcomes.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service, bringing hospital-standard treatment directly to patients at the scene. If required, crews can transfer patients straight to the most appropriate hospital for their condition.

The service operates through a partnership between the public and third sectors, relying on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners are provided by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), enabling advanced treatments such as anaesthesia, blood transfusions and even minor operations to be carried out at the scene.

As a pan-Wales service, its crews travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency care, regardless of where they are based.

Pam said the Barnhowlers take pride in performing for causes that make a real difference.

“There is nothing quite like coming together to sing some of our favourite songs, knowing that we are also making a difference,” she said.

Formed in 2011, the group began as a barbershop ensemble and has since evolved into a versatile a cappella group performing a wide range of music.

“We like to mix it up, performing songs from The Beatles and Duke Ellington to Thomas Tallis and Disney,” Pam added. “We want to entertain people, and we love it when the audience joins in.”

The group performs regularly at community events, including the Friendship Circle, gardening clubs, Parkinson’s support groups and the Fishguard Folk Festival. They have also supported local food banks and other health-related charities.

“Local nursing homes seem to like us too,” Pam said. “We bring a bit of cheer and take people down memory lane.”

Barnhowlers have several performances lined up throughout the spring and summer, including a concert in aid of the Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire.

Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager Mike May thanked the group for their support.

“We are so grateful to the Barnhowlers for using the power of music to shine a light on local causes,” he said.

“They entertained the crowds at Cardigan Guildhall Market in aid of Wales Air Ambulance. Every pound raised will help save lives. Diolch yn fawr.”

THE NSPCC has called for mandatory technology to block child sexual abuse images in real time after new figures revealed more than 1,200 offences were recorded by police forces in Wales in the past year.

Data obtained by the children’s charity shows that 1,287 offences involving indecent images of children were logged by Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and North Wales Police between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.

The figure represents a 3% increase on the previous year, when 1,244 offences were recorded.

Across the UK, almost 37,000 offences involving child sexual abuse images were recorded by police during the same period, according to the NSPCC.

The charity said the figures demonstrate the urgent need for technology companies to introduce stronger protections for children using smartphones and social media.

It is calling on tech firms to install systems on children’s devices that would automatically block nude images from being created, shared or viewed, stopping abuse before it happens.

If companies fail to act, the NSPCC says the UK Government should make such safeguards mandatory.

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “It is utterly indefensible that we are still seeing around 100 child sexual abuse image offences recorded every single day.

“Children across the UK are being completely failed by tech companies that should be protecting them online.

“Behind every one of these offences is a child who has been groomed, abused and manipulated. They are left to carry the trauma while tech companies continue to profit.”

The NSPCC said many of these crimes take place on social media platforms.

Of the 10,811 offences where police recorded the platform used, Snapchat accounted for the largest share at 43% of cases, followed by Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook.

The charity warned that end-to-end encryption used by some platforms may hide the true scale of abuse, making it harder for authorities to detect crimes.

Young people contacting Childline have described the devastating consequences of images being shared online.

One teenager told counsellors he was forced to move schools after a nude image he shared was leaked and used to blackmail him.

The NSPCC said 685 Childline counselling sessions last year involved concerns about online sexual abuse or exploitation, including threats to share intimate images.

The charity is urging ministers to go further in protecting children online, arguing that stronger safeguards are needed beyond proposals such as banning children from social media.

South Wales Police did not provide complete data for the latest figures, meaning the total number of offences recorded across Wales may be higher.