STAFF and pupils from Orbis Education and Care services in Pembrokeshire have helped donate more than 100 Christmas gift bags to seriously ill children, as part of a Wales-wide festive charity campaign.

The initiative, known as the Build a Bag campaign, saw Orbis staff, pupils and residents from specialist schools and care homes come together to prepare festive goodie bags for children aged between three and 16.

The bags were donated to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity at Cardiff’s Heath Hospital and to Dreams and Wishes, which supports children living with life-limiting conditions.

Pembrokeshire services operated by Orbis include The Old Manse in Haverfordwest, Bangeston Hall and Maes Y Coed in Pembroke Dock, Stockwell in Pembroke Dock, Rosendale in Tenby, and Awel y Mor in Saundersfoot. Staff and residents from these homes took part alongside Orbis services across south and mid Wales.

Each bag was filled with a mixture of toys, games and festive treats, as well as practical items such as clothing and toiletries, aimed at bringing comfort and cheer to children spending Christmas in hospital or dealing with serious illness.

The campaign encouraged pupils and residents supported by Orbis to take an active role in giving back to others, reinforcing values of kindness, empathy and community support during the festive period.

Lou Aubrey, Commercial Director at Orbis Education and Care, said the response from staff and young people had been overwhelming.

She said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our staff and pupils and are thrilled to be able to give back to those in need this Christmas.

“It was incredibly moving to see the reaction when we delivered the bags. To be able to support Noah’s Ark Charity and Dreams and Wishes – two charities close to our hearts – is especially meaningful at this time of year.

“We would like to thank everyone who donated and helped make this year’s Build a Bag campaign such a success.”

Orbis Education and Care is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist education and residential services for children, young people and adults with complex needs associated with autism. The organisation employs around 900 staff across Wales and England.

Its Pembrokeshire services provide residential care for adults with autism, supporting individuals to live as independently as possible within their local communities.

Orbis said the Build a Bag campaign also gave pupils and residents a sense of pride in contributing to something positive, while strengthening links between care services and charitable organisations supporting children across Wales.

Pic caption: Orbis Education and Care staff delivering Christmas gift bags to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity (Pic: Orbis).

A MAN from rural Carmarthenshire has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before magistrates charged with a series of serious sexual offences and alleged breaches of court orders.

Leof Sceaga, aged 57, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Friday (Dec 19) facing multiple charges relating to indecent images of children, extreme pornography, and failures to comply with restrictions imposed on him by the courts.

Magistrates heard that Sceaga is accused of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, with alleged offences said to have taken place on Thursday (May 8) and during further incidents in December.

The court was told that the charges relate to the creation of prohibited material, rather than simple possession, placing the allegations among the more serious categories of offences dealt with under child protection legislation.

Sceaga is also charged with possessing extreme pornographic images, offences which involve material considered so explicit or violent that it is banned outright under criminal law.

In addition to the image offences, the court heard that Sceaga is accused of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), or an interim version of such an order. SHPOs are imposed by the courts to restrict the behaviour of individuals considered to pose a risk of sexual harm, and can include strict conditions on internet use, devices, and personal conduct.

He is further charged with failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sex Offenders’ Register, with the alleged breach said to have occurred on Thursday (Dec 18). Individuals subject to notification requirements are legally required to keep police informed of key personal details, including address and changes in circumstances.

All matters were considered together by Llanelli magistrates, who concluded that the seriousness of the allegations meant the case was beyond their sentencing powers.

Sceaga was therefore sent to the Crown Court to be indicted. He was remanded in custody, and will next appear before a Crown Court judge at a date to be fixed.

No pleas were entered at this stage, and reporting restrictions apply in line with standard legal protections.

A TEAR-JERKING new Christmas film by the RSPCA has racked up more than one million views in just days, striking a chord with animal lovers across the UK.

The 90-second festive video, described as “emotional” by media outlets, stars a rescue dog and forms part of a new collaboration with British singer-songwriter Tom Grennan, featuring his song You Are Not Alone.

As Christmas approaches, viewers can watch the film now on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X.

The charity said it has been “bowled over” by the response to the film, which has already passed 1.1 million impressions on social media since its launch.

Alan Laxton, Broadcast Manager at the RSPCA, said: “The response to our new film has been amazing – we are totally bowled over by how strongly it has resonated with people.

“Tom Grennan’s You Are Not Alone is the perfect soundtrack. The lyrics and the film together highlight the powerful bond between people and animals, and how life-changing that connection can be.

“Pets are part of the family, and losing an animal can have a profound impact. Our animal centres work tirelessly to rescue animals from cruelty and neglect and match them with loving new homes throughout the year.”

The film follows a man struggling to cope after the loss of his dog. While donating his pet’s old toys to the RSPCA, he meets a rescue dog and forms an immediate bond. The video was filmed at the RSPCA’s Brighton & Heart of Sussex Branch.

The collaboration comes as the charity warns of a difficult winter ahead. Reports of animal abandonment have risen by 23% in the first ten months of this year, while neglect reports are up by 30%.

Grennan has thrown his support behind the RSPCA’s Big Give Back to Animals appeal, which aims to rescue animals from abandonment and neglect and help them find new homes.

Grennan, who has had three UK number one albums, said: “I’m a passionate advocate for both mental wellbeing and animal welfare, so I’m really proud to support the RSPCA’s winter appeal with my song.

“The connection between people and animals is special. Animals offer more than companionship – they bring comfort, ease loneliness and can be a light in dark times. That’s what this film shows.”

One of the dogs featured in the video is Betty, a cocker spaniel rescued by the RSPCA after being left outside in poor conditions while her owner went on holiday.

An investigation found Betty was suffering from chronic ear infections, severe matting and wet dermatitis. After rehabilitation at the RSPCA’s Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch, she has now been rehomed.

Her new owner, Sara Howlett, said she saw Betty’s photo online just months after losing her previous dog.

She said: “I didn’t think I was ready for another dog, but as soon as I saw her photo it was love at first sight. Before we knew it, we were driving a 444-mile round trip to meet her.

“It’s heartbreaking to think what she went through, but now she’s happiest curled up on the sofa, as close to me as possible. I can’t imagine life without her – you’re never alone when Betty is around.”

The RSPCA rehomed 26,167 animals in 2024. However, the charity says demand for its services is increasing, with emergency calls reaching 73,294 by the end of October.

RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “We want to get more animals like Betty out of cruelty and neglect and into loving homes.

“Reports of abandonment are at their highest in six years, and neglect calls are soaring. Every pound donated helps our officers respond to emergencies and create a better world for animals.”

More information about the RSPCA’s Big Give Back to Animals appeal is available on the charity’s website.