| About the Pembrokeshire Branch
-
The Pembrokeshire branch of the Cystic Fibrosis
Trust was formed 30 years ago by a small group of parents and friends.
They aimed particulary to support one another
in the care of young people in the county who suffer from this life threatening
condition.
Soon they were actively fund -raising and
in recent years the Pembrokeshire branch has brought in more money
than any other branch in Wales.
We have had many sadnesses - too many
young deaths - but joys too.
Life expectancy, through the work of the
CF Trust, has risen from age two or three to 30 plus, and with this has
come an enormous increase in the quality of life.
‘In addition to the contribution we make
to the vital research which has dramatically improved the treatments of
patients since the formation of the Trust and the funding of the CF Centres
where Pembrokeshire patients receive much of their care we are also able
to provide support for our families.
• We have financed driving lessons for some
of our young people - in one case a young man who had been unemployed because
of his illness got work as soon as he had a driving licence.
• We have paid for inflight oxygen
which enabled a young lady to visit her sister who was living abroad.
• We have paid for accommodation for parents
visiting their children in distant hospitals
• We have also been able to respond immediately
to financial emergencies - and have been rewarded by having the sum
refunded when the family’s fortunes improved.
It is very heartening to be able to
give this assistance to our families and we are greatly encouraged
by the support of so many Pembrokeshire organisations.The branch
has been fortunate in the commitment of its members.
President Penny Drew has been actively involved
since the Trusts’ Silver Jubilee in 1985 playing a major role in raising
£30,000 during that year. Australian born Mrs Drew has been a Deputy
Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed for 11 years and in 2004 she was installed
as High Sheriff of Dyfed. Last year she was at Buckingham Palace
to receive a well-earned MBE from the Queen in recognition of her
charity work in Wales.
When Mia Phillips was diagnosed with Cystic
Fibrosis shortly after her birth in 2003 her parents Merrilee and
Chris Phillips of Templeton immediately set to work to raise funds
for the Trust. Their target was to bring in £25,000 within five years
and with the help of family and friends (and young Mia herself )
they have reached their target with several months to spare.
For more details contact
Chairman Sybil Edwards (Tel:
01348 837147) |
Newsflash! Chairman
Sybil Edwards's
book, 'The Milford
Haven Waterway' is availble from Easter 2009. For
details click here
Penny Drew MBE
|
Barbara Piper, who has two
grand-daughters
with Cystic Fibrosis,
has recently retired
after 11 busy years
as branch secretary,
but remains an enthusiastic
member
with a keen interest in the
work of the Trust.
|
Mia Phillips
|
the Joffre Swales band
|
|
