Charity

Seal pup who swam 120km in four days now recovering at RSPCA wildlife centre

Published

2 months ago

January 6, 2026

A grey seal pup found underweight and dehydrated in St Brides Bay has been taken into specialist care after making an extraordinary journey from Cornwall.

A GREY seal pup who travelled an estimated 120 kilometres in just four days is now recovering at an RSPCA wildlife centre after being found dehydrated and underweight on the Pembrokeshire coast.

The fully weaned pup was discovered on rocks at St Brides Bay on Wednesday (Dec 11) after being spotted looking thin and unwell. Wildlife officers later confirmed he had made the journey from Port Gaverne in north Cornwall.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West said she was immediately concerned when she arrived on scene.

“The pup was dehydrated and in a thin body condition, with obvious rolls of skin that should have been filled with fat and blubber,” she said.

“I also noticed marks on his back similar to the spray marks we use after assessing seals, so that we know we have seen them before if they come into care again.”

However, the colour of the markings did not match those normally used in west Wales, prompting Ellie to contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who confirmed they had previously assessed the same seal.

Ellie said: “BDMLR confirmed the pup had been checked by volunteers four days earlier on Saturday (Dec 7) at Port Gaverne. At that time he was borderline for intervention and was released back into the wild.

“With wildlife rehabilitation spaces at a real premium during seal season, he was given another chance without intervention.”

In the days that followed, the young seal swam almost in a straight line across the Bristol Channel, eventually reaching the Pembrokeshire coastline.

“This is a really long swim for a young pup,” Ellie said. “By the time he arrived here he had lost more weight, was dehydrated, passing very dark loose faeces, and had ulcers in his mouth.”

Ellie removed the seal from the beach and administered immediate care, including electrolyte fluids and fish, before transporting him to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset.

At the centre, the seal was named Muse, in keeping with this year’s music-themed naming convention. He is being cared for alongside other rescued seals including Elvis, found at Porthcawl, and Dido, rescued from Mwnt near Cardigan. BDMLR was also involved in the rescues of Elvis and Dido.

“I’m pleased to say Muse is doing really well,” Ellie said. “He is feeding well and gaining the weight he needs. I last saw him on December 27 and it was lovely to see how much he had improved.

“Our dedicated wildlife assistants, veterinary teams and volunteers work incredibly hard to get animals fully fit and ready for release back into the wild, where they belong.”

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said Muse arrived underweight but has responded well to treatment.

“Muse came in with a suspected respiratory infection and completed a course of antibiotics,” he said. “Thanks to the work of Ellie’s team, he has self-fed the entire time he’s been with us.

“He weighed 16kg on admission and by Christmas Eve had reached 19kg. He is now in one of our larger indoor pens and will soon be paired with another seal.”

Seal pups can remain in care at West Hatch for several months. During seal season, which typically runs from September to March, the centre spends an average of £1,400 per week per seal on fish and veterinary care.

The RSPCA works in partnership with organisations including BDMLR to respond to seal welfare concerns and is reminding members of the public to keep their distance if they spot a seal on the beach.

“Seals are wild animals and can deliver a serious bite if they feel threatened,” Ellie said. “Dogs should always be kept on leads near seal colonies.”

She added that it is common for seal pups to be seen alone, as mothers often leave them while feeding at sea.

“If a pup looks healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it from a safe distance for 24 hours,” she said. “But if it appears injured, unwell, distressed, or is on a busy public beach, please call our emergency line on 0300 1234 999.”

Ellie also explained that in west Wales most seal sightings involve grey seals rather than common seals.

“If a pup still has a long white coat of fur, known as lanugo, it is likely still dependent on its mother,” she said. “Once they lose that coat, they are weaned and expected to fend for themselves, which is where many struggle and lose weight.”

More information on what to do if you find a seal or seal pup can be found on the RSPCA website.

This winter, the RSPCA has launched The Big Give Back to Animals appeal to raise vital funds for frontline rescue and rehabilitation work.

Charity

St Davids cyclist completes 200-mile charity challenge for RNLI

Published

1 day ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Cyclist visits nine lifeboat stations from St Davids to Pwllheli in four-day coastal endurance fundraiser

A PEMBROKESHIRE supporter has cycled more than 200 miles along the Welsh coast, visiting nine lifeboat stations and raising over £1,000 for the RNLI.

Jonathan Bradley took on the solo endurance challenge in November 2025, starting at RNLI St Davids Lifeboat Station and finishing four days later at Pwllheli. Along the way he stopped at every RNLI station on his route, including Fishguard, Cardigan, New Quay, Aberystwyth, Aberdovey, Barmouth and Criccieth.

The RNLI said Jonathan had been a long-time member of its Storm Force youth programme and had always remained a keen supporter of the charity’s lifesaving work.

The fundraising effort covered around 200 miles of coastal roads and terrain, with Jonathan completing the journey alone while carrying his own equipment.

An RNLI spokesperson praised his commitment, saying the funds raised would help support volunteer crews who provide lifesaving services around the coast of Wales and the wider UK and Ireland.

The charity relies heavily on donations and community fundraising to maintain its lifeboats, stations and rescue equipment, with volunteers responding to thousands of incidents each year.

Jonathan’s journey began in Pembrokeshire at St Davids — one of the RNLI’s busiest stations — giving the challenge a strong local connection before continuing north along Cardigan Bay to Gwynedd.

The RNLI added its thanks to everyone who supported the challenge through donations and encouragement, describing the effort as an inspiring example of community fundraising in action.

Charity

Tenby charity shop to host coffee and cake fundraiser for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WALES AIR AMBULANCE charity shop in Tenby will be welcoming supporters this weekend as part of a national fundraising campaign marking the service’s 25th anniversary.

The shop, located on Upper Frog Street, will host a Coffee and Cake event on Saturday (Feb 28) from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, inviting members of the public to drop in, enjoy refreshments, and make a donation towards the lifesaving charity.

The event forms part of the charity’s wider ‘Coffee and Cake’ fundraiser, which runs across March and April and encourages supporters to organise their own gatherings to raise funds.

Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise around £13 million every year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles operating across the country.

Laura Coyne, Fundraising Operations Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: “It’s the charity’s 25th birthday on St David’s Day, and our shop in Tenby will mark the occasion by hosting its own Coffee and Cake event.

“Everyone is welcome and we’d be delighted if you joined us for some nice treats — you’ll be making a lifesaving difference and that really is the icing on the cake.”

Supporters are also being encouraged to host their own coffee mornings, afternoon teas or bake sales in their communities during the anniversary celebrations.

Laura added: “Many of us love a catch-up with a slice of cake, and whether you’re part of a community group, school, business or simply an individual, we would love to support you in holding your own event.

“It doesn’t matter if you bake or buy your cakes — the funds you raise will help support our lifesaving charity. It’s the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, family or colleagues while making a real difference.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that brings hospital-level treatment directly to patients at the scene of serious incidents and, when necessary, transfers them straight to the most appropriate hospital. This can save critical time and significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes.

The service operates through a partnership between the charity and the NHS Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), with highly skilled consultants and critical care practitioners working on board its aircraft and vehicles.

Its crews travel across the whole of Wales, delivering advanced treatments including anaesthesia, blood transfusions, and emergency procedures wherever they are needed.

Charity

Charity launches bid to save Foley House with new community cooperative

Published

2 days ago

February 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE charity has launched an ambitious bid to restore Foley House, one of Haverfordwest’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a new community cooperative called The Bucketful Centre.

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, with support from PLANED Community Development, has established the cooperative to take forward plans to refurbish and repurpose the landmark building.

Foley House was built during Britain’s naval heyday and designed by renowned architect John Nash for the brother of Captain Foley, who served alongside Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Nash later went on to design the Brighton Pavilion and parts of Buckingham Palace. At the same time he was working on Foley House, Nash was also designing Priory House in Cardigan, located on the former hospital site at the entrance to the town.

Haverfordwest was once known as “the Bath of the West” and boasted many grand homes, but Foley House has fallen into significant disrepair over recent decades.

The four-storey building is currently owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and is now in the process of being leased to The Bucketful Centre cooperative. Once renovated, it will become the new base for Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, operating as a cancer support centre with expanded services for patients, carers and people living with life-limiting conditions.

Founder and CEO of Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, Chris Evans-Thomas, said demand for the charity’s services had risen sharply since the Covid pandemic.

He said Foley House offers the space, parking and future disabled access needed to deliver improved support for patients, particularly as some hospital services are being reduced or lost.

The campaign will be formally launched at a public presentation at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30pm.

The event will be led by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator Cris Tomos, who has extensive experience in saving historic buildings, alongside well-known historian Mark Muller.

Further information about the project is available at www.bucketfulcentre.co.uk or by contacting Chris Evans-Thomas on 01437 779400.