News
Swim charities visit with local sponsors
ORGANISERS from the second annual TenFoot Swim, dubbed ‘Wales’ Toughest Sea Swim’ have visited local sponsors with members of each beneficiary charity that the event will seek to raise funds for.
Representatives from the Dai Rees Foundation, The Wales Air Ambulance and Paul Sartori were all recently welcomed to the Tenby offices of main sponsor FBM Holidays to really kick the event promotion into gear and to put the focus on the real reason the event takes place.
With three charities due to benefit from the event proceeds this year, spotlight has turned to the individual charities and the vital services they play in the local community.
The Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Service provides a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling, to name just a few services, and provides immense support to those who need it.
Wales Air Ambulance is funded by the people of Wales and they rely entirely on the public’s support to help keep the helicopters flying. The charity does not receive direct funding from the government so vital helicopter services are kept in the air through charitable donations, fundraising events and membership, so donations from the Tenfoot Swim are vital to them.
The Dai Rees Foundation (DRF) is an organisation set up to facilitate projects around the world that provide emergency life-support training and education.
FBM Holidays are excited to be the main sponsor for such an amazing event that will aim to give back so much to 3 very deserving charities. The event is a challenging open sea 5k swim from North beach, Tenby to Monkstone beach in Saundersfoot on Saturday, July 21, and to be completed within two hours.
The partner of FBM Holidays, Tim Brace, commented: “We are extremely excited to be sponsoring this fantastic event, and to be supporting these very worth charities; Wales Air Ambulance, Dai Rees Foundations and Paul Sartori. The team at FBM Holidays, look forward to attending the events planned for the whole weekend!”
Places for the TenFoot Swim are already starting to fill up, with interest in this year’s event already overwhelming. Couple that with the other events going on over the same weekend however, in the TenFoot Trek, but also the Footstep Run taking place on the Friday night before the Swim, and again being sponsored by the Estates arm of FBM. Aimed at those wishing to take part but not in the gruelling swim event, the run consists of a one, three or five mile route stretching from Saundersfoot to Stepaside.
For more information please visit the Tenfoot Swim, the Trek or the Footstep Run events and to enter the events, please visit the TenFoot Swim website; www.tenfootswim.co.uk.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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