IN PREPARATION for this year’s BBC Children in Need, several organisations active within communities across Pembrokeshire, are putting their key personnel forward to participate in a charity gunging!
Led by Haverfordwest-based Celtic Timber, several individuals have been brought together to participate in this event which is hoped will raise funds and awareness of what the funds could do for our younger residents across Pembrokeshire.
Jon Howcroft from Celtic Timber notes “Having already supported funds being raised for charities including the DPJ Foundation at this year’s County Show, we were keen to continue to look at opportunities to continue to promote those groups and organisations who can benefit from funds generated by Children in Need. We are lucky to have positive links with partners and individuals engaged in our communities, and when we approached the individuals now involved, they were all keen to participate.”
Martin Jones from Ogi is one of the participants who is keen to engage and support this fundraiser. “With a strong community focus that Ogi and the team already do here in Pembrokeshire, when Jon from Celtic Timber asked me to join this band of merry gungers, I was more than happy to get involved. By doing something like this, whilst fun and silly, it is all to raise awareness and funds for a great cause. So a bit of discomfort and cold wet gunge is a small price to pay for the serious difference the funds raised could do for those in greatest need.”
Iwan Thomas who wears a number of community organisation leadership hats, from PLANED to Pembrokeshire College, here within the county, is happy to support. “Working across the county, and particularly with the college and seeing the benefits all the support for our younger people can deliver when there is funding available, is something I’m happy to support and promote by all means. Getting the call from Jon to see if I would step out of the meeting rooms and formal discussions I’m usually a part of, to participate in this fundraiser, is something different certainly, and not something I could refuse for such a good cause. When we know that Pembrokeshire sadly has one of the highest child poverty rates in Wales, a few hours of cold and wet discomfort is nothing in comparison, but hopefully will help raise funds to support those in need with sustainable support and frameworks.”
With other participants including representatives from Haverfordwest Football Club, the event will be live-streamed on several platforms and also is being supported by Pure West Radio, with Breakfast DJ, Tom Dyer also participating and broadcasting live during the gunging to help raise awareness and further funds. There will also be a signed Scarlets shirt, organised by Gareth Davies to auction after the event.
For those who wish to donate, please go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barrel-gunge, and the total money raised will be shared on Children in Need day on Friday 18th November.
