We would like to take the opportunity to recognise and appreciate the people who have made our community so special, especially when faced with the challenges of recent years. You have the chance to nominate local people for the awards and to tell us about the people who really made a difference in your lives. 

It could be the neighbour who does your shopping, the coach who trains the local rugby team, the young person who raises money for charity, the person who dedicates their time to making Tenby’s streets and gardens a good place to be. They all make our community a special place and they deserve a big “thank you”. 

The evening will also be a fundraiser for a local charity to be chosen by the community. You can vote by picking up forms from the Tenby Observer offices, Tenby Town Council, Tenby Post Office and the Old Chapel.

Nominations need to be with us by Friday, November 10.

Editor Mick O’Reilly says:

“There’s a well-known Bette Midler from the 1980s that asks: “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?” Here at the Tenby Observer, we believe that there are many of you out there in our community that are unaware you’re a hero. To your family and friends. Your community. Your organisation. Your church or your charity.

“And we think it’s time all the unsung heroes received a little recognition for the work you do. We think that the people who volunteer countless hours working behind the scenes for a charity or cause, a community or church, received some kudos.

“We can’t make you rich. But hopefully, we can at least make you a little famous — in a modest way — and say ‘thank you’ for all you do.

“Help us to say ‘thank you’ to those who deserve it.”

Local unsung heroes can be nominated for the following categories:

Choose one from the following charities to benefit from the Kindness in the Community Awards:

Harriet Davis suffered from a rare degenerative metabolic disease. She was unable to speak, and had lost most of her motor abilities.

With difficulty she could use a word chart and make use of an electric wheelchair. Seaside holidays, in the company of family and friends, were a source of great joy and enrichment to her and thus to all who knew her. She died at the age of eleven years and the Trust was established in 1992 as a tribute to her shining and indomitable spirit.

Her parents, as the principal carers of an increasingly frail child, were constantly reminded of the lack of suitable holiday accommodation which would allow a severely disabled child to take part in a real family holiday.

Many such children need specialised equipment and surroundings which make it difficult for them to go on holiday with their families. Many, by the very nature of their illness, which often involves multiple disablement, are unable to participate in activity type holidays.

The Trust provides four self-catering holiday houses in Tenby. The adapted and wheelchair accessible holiday houses are each unique for their views or locations and are available all year round for families with disabled children up to the age of 21.

Homeless Pembrokeshire is a charity operating throughout Pembrokeshire providing humanitarian support to people sleeping rough. Support includes emergency rough sleeper packs consisting of rucksack, sleeping bag, tent, waterproofs, first aid, clothing, cooking equipment, toiletries, rations and anything else which might make life on the streets more bearable. Packs are adapted to meet individual needs. Other support includes sign posting to other agencies like; Pembrokeshire County Council, The Wallich, Mental Health Services, foodbanks, Citizen Advice, Department of Works and Pensions.

The charity was founded in 2017 by Amanda Evans, who describes how she was profoundly affected by an experience she had whilst out running. She saw a homeless man and was touched by his plight, only to learn the next day that the man had died of exposure. Deeply moved, Amanda founded the organisation, and set about helping where she could. Mobilising an army of Knitters to make woolly hats and distributing them to whoever needed one. After a year, and a steep learning curve, Amanda realised that the problem was a growing one and significantly more help was needed.

During Covid, most people sleeping rough were taken into hotel accommodation and Homeless Pembrokeshire adapted its support from individual to community-wide activities, delivering food aid throughout the county to isolated communities and individuals still sleeping rough. It was during this crisis, that Amanda herself became Homeless. She fled an abusive marriage and had nowhere to go. She “sofa surfed”, slept in the charity van and office floor. Many times, she thought she might become street homeless. Amanda remained homeless for a further two years while at the same time helping others, sometimes better off than herself, but often much worse. In 2022, she finally found a home with her dog Eric. Amanda continues to run Homeless Pembrokeshire, and almost single-handedly continues to provide support to those living in extreme poverty on the margins of society.

Sandy Bear is a  registered charity in Milford Haven providing a service to all children and young people up to 18 years who have suffered, or who are likely to suffer a bereavement and live in Pembrokeshire.

For some children and young people, the death of a loved one will turn their world upside down in an instant, leaving them bereft.

Sandy Bear is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to improving and strengthening the emotional health and well-being of young people aged 0-18 (and their families), who have experienced the death of a loved one. The charity aims to reduce emotional difficulties in childhood and the prevalence of mental illness in later life that can result in a decreased quality of life, poorer educational attainment, social and health problems and increased vulnerability. This is achieved by working closely with children, young people and families to support them through their grief, and by educating relevant professionals to know what to do when they are dealing with bereavement.

Greenacres is a small, non-profit, animal rescue centre in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside.  

Founded in June 2008, Greenacres is the only all-animal rescue centre in Pembrokeshire.  They try their very best to help any animal in need and, although Pembrokeshire-based, work throughout the UK.

Greenacres Rescue believes that every animal deserves a second chance. 

Local Authorities are obligated to provide seven days care for any lost dog with the hope of reuniting with the owner. For all dogs that serve the statutory time and are not claimed, Greenacres makes the commitment to take full responsibility for these dogs with no discrimination of breed, age or health problem - with the long-term aim of finding them a forever home.

Pembrokeshire Action to Combat Hardship is a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects of poverty for individuals and families within the county.

PATCH gives free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in a financial crisis in Pembrokeshire. The charity works closely with our referral agencies to help those that are experiencing hardship through perhaps a delay in benefits, fire, theft and escaping emergency situations.

PATCH set up a Basics Bank to provide for each individual’s needs when in an emergency situation. The charity works only on a referral basis, with those in need referred from outside agencies such as Health Workers, Support Agencies, CAB and Social Services.  People find themselves in financial crises for many reasons, including losing employment, waiting for benefits, homelessness, fire or marriage breakdown.

PATCH also holds an annual Christmas Toy Appeal where four to five new gifts are given to each 0-17-year-old child referred.

The Paul Sartori Foundation, Pembrokeshire’s only Hospice at Home Service, established for those with a life limiting illness, was founded in memory of its namesake Father Paul Sartori.

The Haverfordwest-based Parish Priest saw a need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire.  Shortly after recognising the need he unfortunately became ill himself and died from cancer at the age of 39, in 1980.  His inspiration moved a small group of his local parishioners and in his memory friends strived to bring his ideas to fruition and so the Paul Sartori Foundation came about.

The Hospice at Home Service now provides a range of services to people living in the final stages of any life limiting illness, dispelling the belief that it is a ‘cancer charity’ and operates an open referral system.

Services include: including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, clinical nurse specialist in palliative care, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training.