Charity

Family comes first for Ffos Las boss after life-saving heart surgery

Published

2 months ago

April 7, 2026

Racecourse general manager Kevin Hire says this weekend’s Family Fun Day has taken on a much deeper meaning following his major operation and recovery

FFOS LAS RACECOURSE general manager Kevin Hire has paid an emotional tribute to his family as he prepares for this weekend’s Family Fun Day.

Hundreds are expected to attend the popular event on Sunday (Apr 12), but for Mr Hire, 62, this year’s occasion is about far more than racing and entertainment.

Just six months ago, he was preparing to undergo life-saving open-heart surgery. Now, after a long recovery, he is back leading preparations for a raceday centred on the thing he says mattered most during his darkest hours — family.

He said: “It hasn’t just changed how I look at my work. It’s changed how I look at everything.”

The alarm was first raised last spring when a routine walk across the racecourse left him suddenly struggling for breath.

Mr Hire said: “I walked about 150 yards and suddenly I was severely out of breath. I’d never experienced anything like it. I knew something was wrong.”

Initial tests suggested only a minor issue, but further examinations revealed severe aortic stenosis and the need for a double heart bypass.

He said: “I was told my heart was working at 61 per cent capacity and would drop to 40 per cent within a year, then to 20 per cent. There was a serious risk of loss of life.”

For Mr Hire and his wife Nicola, the diagnosis came as a major shock.

***Kevin Hire and his wife Nicola. (Pic: Kevin Hire)***

He said: “That moment, getting back into the car and going home, we just didn’t know what was ahead.”

In October, he underwent a six-hour operation at Morriston Hospital, where surgeons replaced his aortic valve and carried out the bypass procedure.

After spending a week in hospital, he returned home to begin a lengthy recovery.

The physical toll was considerable. An 18-inch incision to his leg and major chest surgery left him with limited mobility and an ongoing healing process.

Mr Hire said: “You go from being independent to needing help with everything.”

He said the experience made him appreciate more than ever the support of those closest to him.

“Family is special,” he said. “It made me realise the pain they went through. I was going through it, but they were going through it ten times worse because there was nothing they could do.”

His daughters, Mali and Nia, were a constant source of strength, even giving him a Ted Lasso-inspired toy soldier as a good luck charm.

He reserved special praise for his wife Nicola, who took time off work to care for him full-time.

Mr Hire said: “I can’t thank her enough. She stayed with me constantly. We went into the unknown together, but we came out the other side.”

***Crowds at last year’s Family Fun Day. (Pic: Ffos Las Racecourse)***

He said the ordeal has changed the way he sees the role of the racecourse in the community.

“That’s why these race days are so very, very important to me,” he said. “It’s tough out there. The cost of living is going up and every penny counts. We want families to come here and have a fantastic day without worrying about the cost.”

Sunday’s Family Fun Day has been designed to make the event as affordable as possible.

Children can attend free with a paying adult, meaning a family of six can get in for the price of just two adult tickets. A range of activities is also included at no extra charge.

Entertainment on the day will include live spring jump racing, as well as an appearance by the K-Pop Superstars, who will perform, meet fans and pose for photographs.

Away from the track, children will be able to enjoy go-karting, face painting, funfair rides and outdoor activities. Ffos Las says rides will cost just £1, well below the usual price at travelling fairs.

***The toy soldier given to Kevin Hire by daughters Mali and Nia. (Pic: Kevin Hire)***

Families are also being encouraged to bring their own picnics to help keep costs down, while a wet weather guarantee means that if rain falls during the event, racegoers will be invited back to another fixture free of charge.

For Mr Hire, the day is ultimately about creating happy memories.

He said: “To see the kids smiling and enjoying themselves, that’s what it’s all about. If families can come here, spend time together and make memories, then we’ve done our job.”

After months of recovery, Mr Hire said he knows better than most the value of time spent with loved ones — and this Sunday that message will be at the heart of everything at Ffos Las.

Charity

Tenby club raises £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TENBY INNER WHEEL CLUB has raised £1,000 for Wales Air Ambulance after holding a popular fish and chip supper fundraiser.

The club has supported the lifesaving charity for 12 years, raising £8,600 in total.

The latest event, held at the Boathouse in Saundersfoot, included both lunch and evening sittings, as well as a raffle.

The Inner Wheel Club of Tenby is a women’s organisation focused on friendship and service. It currently has 23 members who raise money for a range of good causes.

Karen Tulley, from the club, said: “Our members use our skills to promote and help good causes, while having plenty of fun at the same time.

“We are all aware that Wales Air Ambulance relies totally on donations and receives no government funding, which is why we are always keen to make this a really good event and raise as much money as we can.

“The air ambulance service is essential, particularly in rural areas.”

Following the fundraiser, Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, attended the club’s annual meeting, where he was presented with the £1,000 cheque.

He said: “A huge thank you to everyone at Inner Wheel Club of Tenby for raising a further £1,000 for our service.

“The members have fundraised for us for 12 years and in that time they have raised an incredible £8,600, which is amazing. We really do appreciate their ongoing support of our all-Wales charity.

“Fundraisers like these will ensure that the Wales Air Ambulance continues to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatment to patients and, if needed, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital.

The charity must raise £13m every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Pic: Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager, at the cheque presentation.

Charity

Charity golf day to support cancer awareness after Derek’s diagnosis

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LOCAL businesses are being asked to support a charity golf day in Rosemarket this July after organiser Derek Rowlands was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

Derek’s Charity Golf Day will take place at Dawn Til Dusk Golf Club on Friday, July 10, with proceeds going to Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The event will be played in a Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to enter at £80 per team. Tee times will run from 8:00am.

Derek was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. His illness was identified early, allowing him to undergo surgery soon after diagnosis. He continues to receive monthly treatment and has organised the event to raise both funds and awareness.

Neuroendocrine cancers can develop in different parts of the body, including the digestive system, pancreas and lungs. Symptoms can often be vague, meaning some patients are diagnosed late.

Local businesses are being invited to support the event by sponsoring a hole for a minimum donation of £100, donating raffle or competition prizes, entering a team, or helping to promote the day.

There are up to 18 hole sponsorship opportunities available, with sponsors able to display banners or promotional materials at their designated hole.

Anyone wishing to enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a prize or find out more can contact Derek on 07823 323 134.

Charity

Local insurance brokers help raise over £1,300 for Bluebirds Foundation

Published

4 days ago

May 20, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

The Haverfordwest County AFC Bluebirds Foundation is celebrating a £1,300 boost this month thanks to local insurance brokers Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking.

A recent fundraising day raised £653.64, which was fund matched by the insurance broker’s parent company, the Benefact Group, doubling the amount to over £1,300.

Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking St Clears are sponsors of Haverfordwest County AFC
which includes supporting the charitable arm of the club, Bluebirds Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the prevention of poverty and strengthens the bond between the
football club and local people, including launching junior supporter clubs and community
brunch clubs.
Harry Thomas, aTrustee at Bluebirds Foundation said:
“We are extremely grateful to Lloyd & Whyte for further enhancing the funds raised at
our Foundation Fundraiser, held at the Ogi Bridge Meadow in collaboration with
Haverfordwest County AFC and we look forward to working closely with Lloyd & White again at future events.”
Leyla Phillips stated:
“Events like this show what community is all about. I think it’s great what the
Bluebirds foundation are doing locally for Pembrokeshire, and it was a pleasure to be
a part of it. Being part of Lloyd & Whyte Community Broking and the Benefact Group
made it even more special as we are proud to match all funds that were raised on the day which I’m sure will be a nice addition for the foundation, to enable them to carry
on doing great initiatives within our community.’’
The funday event saw bouncy castles, cake stands, a raffle, shirt swap stand, kick-up
competitions, and inflatable goal, alongside the normal match day activities, all providing
hours of fun for spectators and supporters.

And to top it all, Haverfordwest County AFC won 6-0 on the day against Llanelli Town AFC.