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Charity

MBE for Tenby’s lifeboat fundraising stalwart Doreen, 89

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DOREEN MORTIMER, a volunteer RNLI Shop Manager in Tenby has been awarded a MBE alongside Ken Fitzpatrick, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Porthdinllaen is set to receive a BEM. The RNLI volunteers in Wales are amongst six RNLI volunteers who have been recognised by His Majesty The King for their incredible contribution to the charity as it approaches its 200th anniversary on 4 March.

Doreen has generated more than £1 million in the last 11 years alone and whose dedication has made her shop in Tenby consistently the second busiest in the UK and Ireland.

During 26 years with her local fundraising branch, Doreen’s tireless devotion to the RNLI’s cause has seen her volunteering for up to 50 hours a week during peak periods despite being 89 years old.

Doreen said: ‘I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out, and very honoured of course – not in a million years did I expect anything like this.

‘Really, it’s all thanks to everybody I’ve worked with. I’ve led a team here for 15 years but without the volunteers, I’d be nothing. This award is a thank you to everyone who’s helped at the shop.’

Determined to continue giving her time to the organisation she calls her family for years to come, Doreen doesn’t plan to step down any time soon.

She said: ‘The RNLI has kept my grey cells going and hopefully it will continue. To me it’s always been my family and an important part of my life, one I may have to give up eventually, but not for now while I’m still able.’

Also set to receive a BEM is volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Porthdinllaen RNLI, Ken Fitzpatrick.

First joining the RNLI at 17 years old in 1967, Ken has since given 44 years of his time as both a volunteer and staff member in various roles at the station: crew, mechanic, coxswain and now LOM.

During this time, the crew has launched 942 times, aided 910 people and saved 120 lives.

Ken said: ‘I’m hugely proud of the work I have done with the RNLI, the institution has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. The RNLI has always been part of me, it’s a big family and this award is for everyone involved in that family here in north Wales.

‘It came as a huge surprise to find out I was being honoured in this way I never expected it. You don’t do this work for reward.’

2023 has been a big year for the 75-year-old. As well as receiving a BEM, he was also Bard of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Six RNLI volunteers with 189 years of service between them have been honoured in total.

RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie said: ‘It is wonderful to see these six individuals recognised as we commence the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, each representing different roles across the charity which all make a significant contribution to saving lives at sea.

‘It is particularly poignant to see recognition for our longest standing seagoing crewmember in the Isle of Man, which is where our founder Sir William Hillary came from.

‘It is our people who make the RNLI one of the UK and Ireland’s most treasured institutions. All six recipients will be too humble to claim this recognition in their own right. For them it is all about the teams they volunteer and work with and the wider RNLI family which I am honoured to be part of. My congratulations to them all in this extra special year in the RNLI’s lifesaving history.’

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Charity

Therapy dogs delight Bryan Adams and crew at Utilita Arena

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HAVERFORDWEST-based charity, Cariad Pet Therapy, received VIP treatment during a special visit to Bryan Adams and his crew at the Utilita Arena on the May 19. The visit, which took place in the late afternoon, featured four therapy dogs along with dedicated volunteers from the organisation.

Bryan Adams, currently on a major tour, took a personal interest in the visit, sharing videos of his own dogs with the volunteers. He spent quality time with the therapy dogs – Rylie, a Border Collie; Ruby, a Fox Red Labrador; Max, a Golden Retriever; and Kali, a Black Labrador. Adams, known for his love of dogs, clearly enjoyed the interaction.

The volunteers from Cariad Pet Therapy were not only given the star treatment but were also provided with tickets to the evening’s concert. Meanwhile, the therapy dogs returned home after their heartwarming visit.

This event follows similar visits by the charity to concerts by Pete Tong and Jason Derulo in recent months, with more events planned for the future. Additionally, the volunteers attended the National Lottery Big Bash as special guests last Christmas, enjoying front-row seats for a performance headlined by Take That.

For more information on Cariad Pet Therapy and their work, visit www.cariadpettherapy.co.uk.

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Charitable donations fund ambulatory heart monitors for Withybush Hospital

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THANKS to generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities – the official charity of Hywel Dda Health Board – has funded 10 ambulatory heart monitors worth over £13,000 for Withybush Hospital’s Cardio-Respiratory Department.

The monitors are compact devices which are used to assess a patient’s heart rate and rhythm for a sustained amount of time.

The state-of-the-art monitors will help the Cardio-Respiratory Department provide the best possible service, with accurate, efficient and timely arrhythmia recognition provided on site or at home.

Rhys Bowen, Advanced Cardiac Physiologist, said: “We are so grateful that charitable donations from the local community have enabled us to buy the new monitors.

“The monitors are more adaptable to each patient’s presenting symptoms which will enhance the quality of the data gathered.

“They are more patient-friendly and easier to wear for the duration of the test, so there will be less need for repeat monitoring. They will also support quicker in-patient discharge due to an increase in the number of available monitors and the fact they can be worn by the patient at home and provide remote monitoring.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, visit here.

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St Davids RNLI teams up with Solva Rowing for joint exercise

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THE RNLI St Davids lifeboat crew joined forces with Solva Rowing and Watersports Club for a unique joint training exercise on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The session focused on practising medical evacuation and tow techniques using a Celtic longboat, providing an opportunity for both lifeboat and rowing crews to enhance their rescue skills.

The training aimed to prepare volunteers for a variety of maritime emergency scenarios, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle situations that may arise at sea. The use of the traditional Celtic longboat added an extra layer of challenge and realism to the exercise, simulating conditions that could occur during actual rescue operations.

The collaboration between the two groups was not only a chance for skill enhancement but also a way to strengthen community ties and mutual understanding among the local sea-going organisations. The exercise was documented in photographs by Lyn Jenkins and Cathy Morton, capturing the intense yet constructive nature of the training.

This proactive approach by both the RNLI and Solva Rowing and Watersports Club underscores the commitment of local maritime groups to safety and preparedness, ultimately aiming to ensure that their volunteers are ready and able to save lives at sea effectively.

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