Charities&Volunteering Music to their ears
F
ollowing a massive project to refurbish music studios on behalf of a social enterprise team, Wrexham Sounds has opened its doors, with a focus on transforming State-ofthe lives of the-art disadvantaged equipment young people in is being the region. Formerly Vic installed Studios, the not-for-profit organisation has moved from the town’s Hill Street Daniel Haycocks, Managing to Rhosrobin, where builders are Director of DH Projects, and putting the final touches to the Pivotal Sound & Lighting interior of the facility. Director Darren Hughes putting Led by directors Chris Lloyd, the finishing touches to the new Wrexham Sounds studios Dave Gray and Caroline Richards, in Rhosrobin and general manager Olivia Gallagher, work has begun on installing state-of-the-art equipment ahead of freelance tutors delivering music-based sessions to children and teens from challenging and socially deprived backgrounds. There will also be sessions for pupils unable to access music lessons at school, plus activities for toddlers and infants. For more information or to join the team at Wrexham Sounds as a freelance tutor or volunteer, visit www.wrexhamsounds.org and follow them on social media at @wrexhamsounds
Wales Air Ambulance collects caravanning contribution
Lord Newborough of Rhug Estate hands over the £1,006.58 cheque to WAA’s community fundraiser, Debra Sima
W
ales Air Ambulance has benefitted thanks to the caravanning weekend held at Rhug Estate during the summer. The event was organised by this year’s Royal Welsh feature county, Clwyd. A cheque for over £1,000 was presented to the WAA by Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug, who loaned the site at no charge. The estate regularly raises funds for the
Air Ambulance in Wales, with events including a Christmas carol service. On presenting the cheque, Lord Newborough said: “I am privileged to be able to present this cheque to a very worthwhile cause. With a widely scattered population and diverse landscape, many in Wales live in isolated locations, far from a major or specialist hospital. For these reasons, there is a recognised need for the services of the Wales Air Ambulance.” WAA needs to raise £8 million every year to operate and relies on public donations for its day-to-day running. Capt James Grenfell, regional managing pilot offered thanks on behalf of the service, saying: “Your support means we are now able to provide life-saving emergency care in Wales, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Grateful family present £12,000 to RJAH
the team provided to her daughter following a spinal cord injury back in 2018. Janine said: “The care Eleanor received was phenomenal. When she came to the hospital she could only wiggle her toes, but 12 months on she’d learnt to From left: Polly Brown, play specialist; walk again. We are thrilled Suzanne Marsden, Alice Ward and we raised £12,000 – we can’t Children’s Outpatients Manager; Charlotte, Janine and Eleanor Bloor; and believe the support we’ve Victoria Sugden, RJAH charity rep received from friends, family and colleagues. I grateful family must say a special have presented “The care a cheque for £12,000 she received thank you to JCB and Laboratorios to the children’s on Alice ward at the Robert Phergal for their Ward was donations.” Jones and Agnes Suzanne Marsden, Hunt Orthopaedic phenomenal” Alice Ward and Hospital following a Children’s Outpatients Manager, six-month fundraising campaign. said: “I’m overwhelmed and Janine Bloor, mother of extremely appreciative to the 14-year-old Eleanor, decided Bloor family for the unbelievable to fundraise for Alice Ward amount they’ve donated.” as a thank you for the care
A
Headteacher urges support for lifesaving charity “So many people have no idea they have a problem” Llyr and pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd
H
eadteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon, Llyr Rees was a fit and healthy 50-year-old when he suffered a ruptured aorta a year ago. It was his daughter Catrin, four, who found him on the living-room floor before alerting her mum. The aneurysm and resulting surgery left Llyr close to death, with doctors fearing he would not survive the ambulance journey from Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, to Liverpool’s Broadgreen Hospital, having been rushed there from his Anglesey home. He said: “It’s a serious condition. One doctor told me the first sign of it is usually when an autopsy is conducted. I find that terrifying.” Now Llyr is urging people to get behind North Wales NHS charity Awyr Las (Blue Sky) to raise funds for a mobile cardiac scanning unit to serve rural communities. “It would provide a vital service, because there are so many people out there who, like me, will have no idea they have an underlying heart problem.” Cath More, Awyr Las support manager, said: “Llyr’s recovery is inspiring and we’re so grateful for the support of everyone at Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd.” To donate, visit www.awyrlas.org.uk
To see your charity event feature on these pages, please email editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk January/Febtuary 2022 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 123
Volunteering JanFeb 2022 FINAL.indd 1
23/12/2021 10:39
