News
Elly’s Flag flies up to £150k
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Elly Neville, a Year 3 pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School and her Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal has reached an extraordinary new milestone.
This week the Appeal, which supports Cancer Patients on Ward 10 at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest has reached an amazing £150,000, especially for a flag made of old bottle tops and tissue paper, which has been raised in under 3 years.
The donation that pushed the appeal’s total over the £150,000 mark was a £5,000 donation from entertainment group Live Nation, but big or small every donation is valued, valuable, and goes to a truly local cause.
With the future of Withybush Hospital under the spotlight again, the Appeal’s funds can only be used to benefit Ward 10 at the hospital and the provision of the sort of equipment and extras that make local cancer inpatients’ lives more comfortable.
After setting out to raise just £50 and raise the profile of Cancer Services for in-patients at Withybush Hospital, the Nevilles have been stunned by the campaign’s success. The Appeal has raised the profile of Cancer Services in Pembrokeshire and significant steps are being made to ensure that the best possible Cancer Services are available to local cancer sufferers.
More importantly the Appeal has purchased a Sara Steady Enhanced Standing Aid for the Ward at £850 and recently agreed to purchase a Bladder Scanner for £9,000, a Urine Analysis Machine for £1,000 and two Sofa Beds for the Relatives Room at £2,000 which will enable family to stay near loved ones.
Elly’s Dad Lyn said: “We are stunned to have raised £150,000 and thank everyone who has supported us in any way. It is exciting to be able to purchase items and equipment that will make a “real” difference to Cancer Patients, Staff and Visitors on Ward 10”. We would please ask that you continue to support Elly’s Appeal which is now making a real difference to Patient Environment and Experience on Ward 10.”
Elly‘s Dad went on to say: “The Hywel Dda Health Board prepared a Business Case which went to the Welsh Government in October for funding to fully refurbish Ward 10 and we have been promised a decision on this funding in the very near future.
Elly said she “was happy that what she was doing was helping people when they were in hospital.”
Elly and her family are continuing to seek donations via their Just Giving page: http://bit.ly/2ogHiXP
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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