Last Tuesday Dr. Anne Kelly BEM, SI Wales South anti slavery representative on the Dyfed Powys Police anti-slavery forum, set up a stand in the Regency Hall in order to raise money for the Modern Slavery Helpline.

She was supported by fellow Tenby Soroptimists Lindsay Oeppen and Mary Fleming. The following Saturday they again set up a Helpline stand, but this time at the Penally Christmas Fair held in the village hall.

The UK Modern Slavery Helpline is run by Unseen, a registered charity. It is the only independent, confidential, 24/7 specialist hotline for anyone wanting to seek help or report modern slavery.

In less than three years, the Helpline has indicated over 15,000 potential victims, including many British nationals.

Modern slavery is present in every town in the UK and includes sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and forced labour.

Victims are controlled through violence and cruelty and often subjected to years of physical, mental and emotional trauma.

Dr Kelly would like to thank the organisers of both events for all their help and support, as well as all those who gave donations.

Thanks to the generosity of those attending either the Saundersfoot Craft Fair or the Penally Christmas Fair, Dr. Kelly was able to raise a considerable amount for the Helpline, which is in desperate need of further funding.

For thousands of people trapped in slavery, the Helpline is the only way out. If the lines go dead, hope will die with them.

For those interested in helping to support the Helpline, please visit their website at http://unseen.org.uk .

No human-being should be caught up in the ugly reality of trafficking, but it does still happen, and those people deserve the safety and hope Unseen delivers.