A PEMBROKESHIRE musical director has completed his first full marathon to raise vital funds for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Mark Heron, Musical Director of the Paul Sartori Community Choir, crossed the finish line at the Newport Marathon on Sunday (Apr 19), raising £1,119 for the Pembrokeshire charity.

The challenge marked a special personal milestone for Mark, who joked beforehand that his birthday “begins with a 5 and ends in a 0.”

Having already completed six half marathons and a number of other races, Mark decided to take on the full 26.2-mile distance for the first time.

Mark is well known through his work with the Paul Sartori Community Choir, where he helps keep spirits high while supporting the charity’s work across the county.

But his fundraising efforts have also seen him go the extra mile away from the conductor’s stand, with regular challenges in support of the Foundation.

The Paul Sartori Foundation provides hospice at home care across Pembrokeshire for people living with life-limiting conditions, as well as support for their families.

The charity is keen to stress that it is not solely a cancer charity, with around 32% of those it supports having a non-cancer diagnosis.

A spokesperson for the Paul Sartori Foundation said everyone at the charity extended their congratulations to Mark on completing his first marathon and thanked him for his continued dedication.

They said the money raised would help the charity continue delivering its services to people across Pembrokeshire.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care in the county before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

The charity was registered in 1982 and will celebrate its 45th anniversary during 2027/28.

Caption:

Marathon effort: Mark Heron with members of the Equipment Van team

THE BANK OF ENGLAND’S plan to put wildlife on future banknotes has been welcomed by the RSPCA — but the charity says some of Britain’s most overlooked animals should not be forgotten.

The Bank has launched an 18-animal shortlist, covering mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish, with the public invited to help choose which species should appear on future £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.

The RSPCA said the move could become a “celebration of wildlife” and a chance to remind people of the need to protect nature.

Dr Ros Clubb, Head of Wild Animals at the RSPCA, said: “Banknotes featuring our native wildlife will be a real cause for celebration.

“It is a great opportunity to not only showcase Britain’s amazing wildlife, but — in carrying pictures of wild animals in our wallets and purses every day — to remind us all of our own responsibilities to nature and the world around us.”

The charity said its 2025 Animal Kindness Index found that 73% of people were worried about the future of UK wildlife, with protecting wildlife emerging as the top priority for the RSPCA to address.

But the RSPCA has also urged the Bank of England to think again about some of the animals that did not make the shortlist.

The charity has released mock-up examples showing how banknotes could look if they featured gulls, rats, pigeons and badgers — species it describes as under-appreciated but important parts of British wildlife.

Dr Clubb added: “It’s great that the Bank of England has pulled together a diverse shortlist — from hedgehogs to foxes, frogs to kingfishers, and dragonflies to salmon — although we would love to see more animal underdogs make the cut.

“Gulls, badgers, rats and pigeons all divide opinion — but this would have been a great opportunity to discuss these fantastic animals.

“They’re all amazing in their own right. Pigeons, with their war hero history; gulls, who are dedicated to their families and their co-parenting responsibilities; rats, who are incredibly empathetic and intelligent; and the badger, the master architect of a network of underground cities.”

The charity also said it would have liked to see one of the UK’s six native reptile species included, saying many people remain unaware of the snakes and lizards found across the country.

The RSPCA plans to respond formally to the Bank of England consultation as part of its wider Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages small actions to help animals and wildlife.

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.”