A FORMER lifeboat coxswain who was told he was too old to continue going to sea has found a new sense of purpose with Blood Bikes Wales.

Clive had spent decades serving his community, including almost 20 years as a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service and 38 years with the lifeboat. He eventually became coxswain, but at the age of 65 was told he could no longer continue in the role.

Despite being fit and healthy, holding a Class 1 driving licence and a Private Pilot’s Licence, stepping away from something that had been such a major part of his life proved difficult. He said the loss of involvement, purpose and identity hit hard.

Determined to find a new volunteering challenge, Clive contacted Blood Bikes Wales. As an advanced driver, he hoped to take on a car-based role, but discovered the charity operated motorcycles. At that point, he did not even have a motorcycle licence.

Rather than give up, Clive decided to learn to ride, pass his motorcycle test and work towards the advanced qualification needed to apply as a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “The challenge and freedom that motorcycling gave me was a real tonic.”

With determination and support from mentors, Clive achieved his RoSPA Gold qualification and passed the assessments to become a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

Now, just over 18 months into his Blood Bikes Wales journey and approaching his 70th birthday, he says the charity has given him back something he feared he had lost.

He said: “I am truly grateful that I committed to the challenge and extremely thankful to Blood Bikes Wales for giving me back the direction, involvement and identity I had lost a few years earlier.

“Blood Bikes Wales is a truly inspirational and inclusive charity, made even more remarkable by the fact that every member is a volunteer. I feel proud to wear my rider’s jacket and represent the charity.”

CHARITY Paul Sartori Foundation has announced a major expansion of its retail operation in Haverfordwest, with a new community store planned for the former Factory Shop building on Snowdrop Lane.

The new Sartori Community Store is currently under development and will provide a much larger and more flexible space for the charity’s range of high-quality pre-loved and new goods.

Every purchase made at the store will help fund the Foundation’s free hospice at home services, which support patients and families across Pembrokeshire.

The move marks a significant step for the charity, both in improving the shopping experience and in increasing income for its vital local services.

As part of the transition, Paul Sartori will close its long-standing Bridge Street shop, which has served the Haverfordwest community for 16 years.

The charity has thanked the building’s landlords for their generosity and support since the store opened there in November 2011.

The Bridge Street premises hold a special place in Haverfordwest’s history, having once been home to the Sartori café and, before that, The Moon and Sixpence shop in historic Swan Square, overlooking the Old Bridge, which dates back to 1726.

The same friendly retail team will move to the new Snowdrop Lane store, where the charity plans to create a more community-focused space.

Plans include guest sellers, community group sessions and special events, making the store a hub for local people as well as a retail outlet.

The Foundation’s existing Snowdrop Lane premises will be converted into a central warehouse and donation drop-off point, helping staff and volunteers manage the large volume of donations received from the public.

The site will also include a dedicated mobility centre for larger second-hand mobility aids, including scooters, which are in high demand across Pembrokeshire.

Julia Brady, Head of Retail at the Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “This is a truly exciting step forward for our retail team and for the communities we support.

“Our new Snowdrop Lane store will give us the space to grow, to offer an even wider and more inspiring range of goods, and to create a welcoming environment where people feel part of something bigger.

“Every visit, every donation, and every purchase helps us continue delivering our free hospice at home care across Pembrokeshire, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to be part of this next chapter.”

Customers and supporters will be invited to a closing down sale at the Bridge Street store, with details to be announced once a moving date has been confirmed.

The Foundation is also preparing to recruit new volunteers to join its retail team ahead of the move.

TENBY Freemasons have donated £400 to Tenovus Cancer Care following a raffle held during the lodge’s annual installation banquet.

The raffle took place on the night Damian Brown was installed as Master of Tenby Freemasons Lodge.

As is tradition at the annual installation meeting, the incoming Master chooses a charity to receive the proceeds.

Mr Brown selected Tenovus Cancer Care, a Wales-based charity which supports people affected by cancer through expert advice, counselling and mobile support units.

The charity also funds research into new cancer drugs, improved treatments, and better ways to diagnose and prevent the disease.

Mr Brown later visited the Tenovus shop in Pembroke with lodge charity steward Steve Thurgood, where he presented the donation to volunteer Elena.

Pictured: Damian Brown and Steve Thurgood present the donation to Tenovus volunteer Elena.