4 minute read
Charities & Volunteering
Music to their ears
Following 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 the lives of disadvantaged young people in the region. Formerly Vic 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 Pivotal Sound & Lighting Director Darren Hughes putting putting the final touches to the interior of the facility. the fi nishing touches to the Led by directors Chris Lloyd, 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.
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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
State-ofthe-art equipment is being installed Grateful family present £12,000 to RJAH
Agrateful family have presented a cheque for £12,000 to the children’s ward at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital following a six-month fundraising campaign.
Janine Bloor, mother of 14-year-old Eleanor, decided to fundraise for Alice Ward as a thank you for the care
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 From left: Polly Brown, play specialist; Suzanne Marsden, Alice Ward and 12 months on she’d learnt to walk again. We are thrilled Children’s Outpatients Manager; we raised £12,000 – we can’t Charlotte, Janine and Eleanor Bloor; and believe the support we’ve Victoria Sugden, RJAH charity rep received from friends, family and colleagues. I “The care must say a special she received on Alice Ward was thank you to JCB and Laboratorios Phergal for their donations.” phenomenal” Suzanne Marsden, Alice Ward and Children’s Outpatients Manager, said: “I’m overwhelmed and extremely appreciative to the Bloor family for the unbelievable amount they’ve donated.”
Lord Newborough of Rhug Estate hands over the £1,006.58 cheque to WAA’s community fundraiser, Debra Sima
Wales 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.”
Headteacher urges support for lifesaving charity
Llyr and pupils at Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd
“So many people have no idea they have a problem”
Headteacher 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
