Author: Alice Gregory

Hayley Roberts’ aunt Liz was one of her most ardent fans, cheering her on whenever she attempted new challenges. Yet, while she couldn’t be there for her niece’s completion of the mountainous Welsh 3000s Challenge, a lasting legacy was created in Liz’s name when Hayley raised almost £2,500 for Breast Cancer UK.  “I was always going to do the challenge to raise funds for Breast Cancer UK because my aunt had breast cancer twice,” says Hayley. “The first time was in the early 2000s when it was detected from a routine mammogram. It was aggressive, but it was found in…

The Bigger Boat Challenge – referencing the 1975 movie hit, Jaws – could be the toughest yet for Karl Jackson and his Coleg Cambria colleagues. Taking place over two days from Friday October 25, the 12-strong team from the college’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham will kayak around two lakes and hike a 22-kilometre route across Gwynedd and Powys in aid of Dementia UK. “Every year we try and come up with unique, adrenaline-fuelled activities that will test our limits while, more importantly, raising as much money as we can for incredible causes,” he said. “This one will see us…

Foster care charity, Comfort Cases UK, is named as the Cymru chosen charity of the year by Foster Care Associates (FCA) ahead of The Big Sing Off competition. The FCA, alongside Comfort Cases UK, eagerly awaits the return of The Big Sing Off – a powerful event where foster children from across the country come together to create unforgettable moments through the magic of music. The event isn’t just about music, it is about fostering a sense of belonging, community and joy for children who need it most. The Big Sing Off is a national event where 400 children, including…

Dunelm, the Home of Homes, is aiming to make sure no one goes without a gift this Christmas with the latest instalment of its much-loved initiative, Delivering Joy. After delivering almost a quarter of a million gifts to those in need over the past four years, Dunelm’s heartwarming campaign has started again, and aims to fulfil more Christmas wishes than ever before. In Dunelm stores across the UK, Christmas trees with tags featuring wishes from local schools, care homes, refuges and charities are now up. To help ensure everyone experiences the magic of Christmas, Dunelm is officially calling out for…

A talented harpist taught by a former Royal harpist has been crowned as the best young musician in Wales. Heledd Wynn Newton, 20, won the inaugural Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition at the North Wales International Music Festival. She came out on top after a spellbinding, two-hour long final at St Asaph Cathedral which was recorded by BBC Radio Cymru. The rising star was presented with the Pendine Trophy and a cash prize of £2,000 by Mario Kreft MBE, the proprietor of the Wrexham and Caernarfon based Pendine Park care organisation who sponsored the competition via the Pendine Arts…

The new practice manager at a leading law firm will support further expansion in the years ahead. Tammy Strapp, from Flint, has joined the award-winning team at Mackenzie Jones Solicitors, which has offices in St Asaph, Chester, and Menai Bridge. Having spent more than two decades in the HR (Human Resources) and legal sectors she is pleased to join the business ahead of its 25th anniversary. Tammy’s arrival follows that of property solicitor Laura Corrigan, and Elliott Morgan, a paralegal, in past weeks. With directors labelling this “the busiest period” in the company’s history, she is looking forward to the…

Ffestiniog’s rich heritage can help boost the local economy and culture. That’s the message from Nabod Ffestiniog, which is being organised by YesCymru Bro Ffestiniog, to promote the cause of Welsh independence. The free event, which will take place at the end of this month, is part of the Nabod Cymru series being organised by the pro-independence group YesCymru, across Wales, will feature live music, guided tours, speeches and panel discussions. According to one of the event organisers, Hefin Jones, the example of the enthusiastic adoption of the social enterprise model in the area can act as an “inspiration” to other communities in…

Buddy the Elf took an unseasonal summer trip to Newport to announce the latest spectacular Christmas show to arrive at ICC Wales. Elf The Musical is a smash hit retelling of the blockbuster movie starring Will Ferrell and is set to wow family audiences in South Wales over the festive season, from December 14 to January 4. Buddy was in typically excitable mood when he arrived in Newport a few months early to announce the Christmas run, meeting the famous 10m tall steel red dragon that stands proudly outside the venue and bouncing off the walls of the 1,500-seat theatre…

Specsavers Barry has begun a year-long partnership with community radio station, Bro Radio, following an investment from partners Jamie Pullen and Helen Hopgood. The pair made the investment to help Bro Radio, which broadcasts from studios at YMCA Barry and The Old School, Llantwit Major to the Vale of Glamorgan, to continue providing an important public service and voice for the people of Barry. The community station has been operating in Barry since its launch in 2009 and expanded its coverage in 2020 to cover the wider Vale of Glamorgan. It is run by only two paid members of staff…

A leading chartered accountancy firm knows it can count on four members of staff who’ve each notched up 20 years’ of loyal service. Coxeys, which has offices in Wrexham, Saltney and Chester, presented the quartet with thank you bouquets of flowers to celebrate their momentous career milestones. After so long together Helen Mort, Carole Roberts, Laura Watkins and Jayne Williams are best of friends as well as being tip-top professionals. Company director Joanne Evans said it was testimony to the firm’s long-standing ethos of promoting teamwork, employee engagement and positive work morale. Presenting the colourful flower arrangements to them all,…