To round off a week of Community Kindness Awards highlights, we turn the spotlight on the seven charities with some video clips, and an up-to-date appeal from Homeless Pembrokeshire.

After the first three award winners had been announced at last Friday’s event at Tenby’s De Valence Pavilion, it was time to hear from three local charities.

First up was Carol Lincoln from the Harriet Davis Trust - providing holidays for families with disabled children; then Jan and Jayne from the Greenacres Animal Rescue shop in Narberth; then Phil Thompson MBE, trustee of the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Foundation.

Following four more award presentations, four more charity representatives described what they do. They were Hannah Beer from Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, Dave Goulding from Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship (PATCH), Amanda Evans from Homeless Pembrokeshire, and Marian Cooney Dance from Pembrokeshire Cancer Support Action Group.

Carol Lincoln, speaking on behalf of the Harriet Davis Trust
Carol Lincoln, speaking on behalf of the Harriet Davis Trust (Observer pic)

In memory of the late Harriet Davis, the Harriet Davis Trust provides four self-catering holiday houses in Tenby. The adapted and wheelchair accessible holiday houses are each unique for their views or locations and are available all year round for families with disabled children up to the age of 21.

Jan and Jane from Greenacres charity shop in Narberth
Jan and Jane from Greenacres charity shop in Narberth (Observer pic)

Greenacres Rescue believes that every animal deserves a second chance. They try their very best to help any animal in need and, although Pembrokeshire-based, work throughout the UK. For all dogs that have been looked after by the Local Authorities for the statutory seven days and are not claimed, Greenacres makes the commitment to take full responsibility for these dogs with no discrimination of breed, age or health problem - with the long-term aim of finding them a forever home.

Paul Sartori trustee Phil Thompson at the Community Kindness event in Tenby
Paul Sartori trustee Phil Thompson at the Community Kindness event in Tenby (Observer pic)

The Paul Sartori Foundation, Pembrokeshire’s only Hospice at Home Service, provides a range of services to people living in the final stages of any life limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training. It’s a one-stop shop, as Phil Thompson MBE said, with everything free at point of service. It takes around £3,000 a day to keep the service going, so charity shop revenue and donations are vital.

Hannah Beer, Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity speaking at the Kindness in the Community event in Tenby
Hannah Beer, Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity (Observer pic)

Sandy Bear is a registered charity in Milford Haven providing a service to all children and young people up to 18 years who have suffered, or who are likely to suffer a bereavement and live in Pembrokeshire. The charity aims to reduce emotional difficulties in childhood and the prevalence of mental illness in later life.

Dave Goulding, of PATCH charity
Dave Goulding, of PATCH (Observer pic)

PATCH is a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects of poverty for individuals and families within the county. The charity works only on a referral basis, with those in need referred from outside agencies such as Health Workers, Support Agencies, CAB and Social Services. PATCH gives free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in a financial crisis in Pembrokeshire.

Amanda Evans, founder of Homeless Pembrokeshire at the Community Kindness Awards in Tenby
Amanda Evans, founder of Homeless Pembrokeshire (Observer pic)

Founded by Amanda Evans, Homeless Pembrokeshire is a charity operating throughout Pembrokeshire providing humanitarian support to people sleeping rough. Support includes emergency rough sleeper packs, adapted to meet individual needs. Other support includes sign posting to other agencies. Amanda says that the charity currently needs rucksacks, sleeping bags, 2-man compact tents, waterproofs, new men's gloves, AA and AAA batteries, head torches, first aid kits, flasks, mess tins, sporks, tin openers and heat patches. There is a drop-off point for such items at The Ark health food shop, Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. You can also donate financially by heading to this paypal donation link.

Marian Cooney Dance, of Pembrokeshire Cancer Support Group
Marian Cooney Dance, of Pembrokeshire Cancer Support Group (Observer pic)

Pembrokeshire Cancer Care Support Group provides support and information for those who have or have had Cancer, together with their family and friends. The Pembroke Dock Support Centre offers a secure environment for meetings and for one to one contact, where information and / or support can be given.

A raffle was held and the event raised £750 to be shared out between the seven local charities taking part.

Regional Editor Mick O’Reilly said: “We think that it’s time the people who volunteer countless hours working behind the scenes for a charity or cause, a community or church, received some kudos.”

Tenby Observer Kindness in the Community event organiser Carolyn Cox is accompanied onto the stage by Heather Wood, Sales Manager, The Forester, Forest Review & The Ross Gazette, to receive a ‘thank you’ bouquet from Mick O’Reilly, Regional Editor, Cambrian News and Tenby Observer.
Tenby Observer Kindness in the Community event organiser Carolyn Cox is accompanied onto the stage by Heather Wood, Sales Manager, The Forester, Forest Review & The Ross Gazette, to receive a ‘thank you’ bouquet from Mick O’Reilly, Regional Editor, Cambrian News and Tenby Observer. (Observer pic)

That’s what the Tenby Observer Kindness in the Community Awards are all about. Congratulations to the winners - accolades richly deserved, and Pembrokeshire - keep supporting local charities, and see if we can better our second position to become the most generous county in the UK.