A GRIEVING mother is preparing to leap from an aircraft at 15,000 feet in memory of her much-loved son, while raising money for two Pembrokeshire organisations close to her heart.

Tina has booked a tandem parachute jump to honour her son, Luke Foster, who died suddenly on March 12, 2024, aged just 37.

Luke would have celebrated his 40th birthday on August 23 this year, and Tina hopes to complete the jump on that date alongside her boss, Sam Warden, who has volunteered to take part with her.

Money raised through the challenge will be divided between Get The Boys A Lift and Windswept Watersports, two not-for-profit community interest companies working to support people in Pembrokeshire.

Tina said: “In honour of my beloved son Luke, who very sadly passed away suddenly, I have booked a tandem parachute jump at a height of 15,000 feet.

“Luke should have been celebrating his 40th birthday on August 23, so I’m hoping it will be possible to jump on the day of his birthday alongside my amazing boss Sam Warden, who has kindly agreed to support me and jump with me.”

Support following Luke’s death

Get The Boys A Lift was established by a group of friends in 2016 and uses income from its Haverfordwest coffee shop, clothing sales and fundraising activities to provide free and easily accessible mental health support.

Tina said the organisation had supported her through an extremely difficult period following the loss of her son.

She said: “After walking into their café in Haverfordwest, then breaking down into floods of tears as soon as I tried to speak, the Get The Boys A Lift staff comforted me with compassion, much-needed hugs and a long chat.

“That then led to them providing me with weeks of counselling.

“If I could raise some funds for them to carry on doing just that for others, I would be so grateful. I know my Luke would have readily approved, as he had suffered badly with his own mental health for many years.”

Accessible watersports facilities

The second beneficiary, Windswept Watersports, works to provide affordable and inclusive watersports activities for people of all ages and backgrounds, with a particular focus on disabled and disadvantaged groups.

Tina has seen the organisation’s work through her employer, Value Independence CIC, whose disabled clients have taken part in activities including paddleboarding and supported sessions in the sea.

Funds raised through the parachute jump will help Windswept Watersports develop a changing area with accessible facilities.

The planned space would provide wheelchair users with a safe and dignified place to change and would include specialist hoisting equipment.

Tina added: “I would be so grateful if people could donate, no matter how big or small, as anything would be greatly appreciated.

“If you are unable to donate, you could still help by sharing the fundraiser far and wide.”

Donations can be made through Tina’s JustGiving page: HERE.

THREE children were rescued after being blown around a mile out to sea on a paddleboard off Pendine.

Tenby’s all-weather RNLI lifeboat was launched shortly after 5:00pm on Saturday, July 18, following reports that the children were in difficulty.

Before the lifeboat arrived, the children were spotted by the crew of the Saundersfoot-based charter boat Ebony May, who acted quickly and brought them safely aboard.

An RNLI lifeguard from Pendine had also reached the group but was unable to return all three children to the beach without further assistance.

The Tenby lifeboat crew arrived a short time later and transferred the children onto the lifeboat, where they were checked for injuries.

They were then taken back to Pendine beach aboard the lifeboat’s smaller Y boat. The lifeguard was also returned safely to shore.

Tenby RNLI thanked both the charter boat crew and the lifeguard for their rapid response.

A spokesperson said: “Our thanks go out to the crew of the Ebony May and also the RNLI lifeguard. Without them spotting and rescuing the children, this incident could have turned out very differently.”

The RNLI also praised the children for remaining with the paddleboard, which made them easier to locate from the shore and from nearby vessels.

Following the rescue, the charity issued a warning about the dangers posed by offshore winds to paddleboarders.

The spokesperson added: “When going paddleboarding, you should avoid beaches where the wind is offshore.

“You can quickly be blown out faster than you can paddle, meaning you are unable to make it back to shore.

“Always wear a buoyancy aid and carry a way of calling for help, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.”

As the Tenby lifeboat returned to station, the crew was redirected towards Burry Port following a separate report that three children were in difficulty at sea.

However, while the lifeboat was passing south of Carmarthen Bar, the crew was informed that everyone involved had been safely recovered and no further assistance was needed.

Communities across north Pembrokeshire are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors for eight days of Welsh language, music, literature and culture

THERE are now just ten days to go until Eisteddfod y Garreg Las opens its gates for an eight-day celebration of the Welsh language, creativity and culture.

The National Eisteddfod will be held at Llantwd, in north Pembrokeshire, from Saturday, August 1, until Saturday, August 8.

Excitement is already building throughout the area, with communities decorating villages, roadsides and public spaces ahead of the festival’s arrival. Construction of the Maes, the main Eisteddfod site, is also gathering pace as organisers prepare the stages, pavilions, exhibition areas and other facilities needed for one of Wales’ largest cultural events.

Although the festival is being staged in Pembrokeshire, the official catchment area stretches beyond the county boundary and includes communities in south Ceredigion and west Carmarthenshire.

Months of community events, concerts, sponsored activities and fundraising drives have helped build momentum ahead of the Eisteddfod.

Local committees have raised more than £528,000, believed to be the largest amount ever collected by a local fund for a National Eisteddfod.

John Davies, chairman of the Garreg Las National Eisteddfod Executive Committee, described the fundraising campaign as historic.

He said: “More than £528,000 has been raised so far, the largest amount ever raised by a local fund for a National Eisteddfod.”

Volunteers who have supported the fundraising effort will be recognised during a special Celebrating Our Champions ceremony at 10:00am on the festival’s opening day. Representatives from local committees will be invited onto the stage to receive public recognition for their work.

Pembrokeshire on display

Pembrokeshire County Council and its partners will have their own dedicated area on the Maes, known as Pentre’r Garreg Las.

The area will celebrate the people, culture, communities and organisations of Pembrokeshire and the wider Eisteddfod region.

A full programme of discussions, performances, demonstrations and community activities will be held in Pabell Pawb throughout the week.

The programme is expected to feature local performers, community organisations, schools, businesses and projects, giving visitors an opportunity to discover more about the area and the people who live and work here.

Organisers hope the Eisteddfod will not only provide a major economic and cultural boost during festival week, but will also leave a lasting legacy by encouraging greater use of the Welsh language and strengthening links between communities.

Full programme available through festival app

The National Eisteddfod’s official app is now live and includes details of events taking place across the Maes each day.

Visitors can use the app to explore the full festival programme, check competition times and create their own schedules before travelling.

It also contains the programme for Pentre’r Garreg Las, helping visitors plan which talks, performances and demonstrations they would like to attend.

With activities taking place simultaneously in venues across the Maes, organisers are encouraging visitors to download the app in advance so they do not miss their preferred competitions, concerts or appearances.

Extra buses serving the Maes

Additional public transport services are being provided during Eisteddfod week to help visitors reach the site.

The TrawsCymru T5 service will travel directly to the Maes from Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Cardigan, with more frequent journeys and late-evening services operating between Fishguard and Cardigan.

The 430 service, which connects Narberth, Crymych and Cardigan, will operate every day during the festival. An additional late bus will leave the Maes at 11:15pm.

Visitors travelling through Cardigan will also be able to use Bws yr Arglwydd Rhys, a free shuttle service running from Finch Square to the Maes every hour between 7:00am and midnight.

Travel will remain free for holders of an All Wales Concessionary Bus Pass, while eligible passengers aged 21 and under can travel for £1 per journey, subject to a maximum daily fare of £3.

Celebrating 850 years of Eisteddfod tradition

This year’s festival carries particular historical significance, marking 850 years since the gathering widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

That event was held by Lord Rhys at Cardigan Castle in 1176, only a few miles from the site of this year’s festival.

According to historical accounts, poets and musicians were invited to Cardigan to compete for prizes, establishing a tradition of artistic competition that has continued in different forms for centuries.

The modern National Eisteddfod remains one of the most important events in the Welsh cultural calendar. It brings together poets, musicians, writers, artists, choirs, dancers, actors and competitors from across Wales and beyond.

Alongside the traditional competitions and ceremonies, visitors can expect concerts, exhibitions, discussions, food, family activities and opportunities to learn and use Welsh.

The Eisteddfod is open to Welsh speakers, learners and people with no previous knowledge of the language, with organisers presenting it as an opportunity for everyone to experience Welsh culture.

As the final preparations continue, communities across north Pembrokeshire, south Ceredigion and west Carmarthenshire are preparing to welcome visitors for what is expected to be one of the most significant cultural events held in the region for many years.