Veterans charity drop-in moves to North Wales
BECOME a real life canvas and run, walk or skip for St David’s Hospice, Llandudno, in the exciting and very popular 5k Colour Run.
This fun event takes place on West Shore Llandudno on Sunday, September 9, from 1pm. It is a fantastic way to raise money and get an all-important end-of-event selfies whilst covered in all the colours of the rainbow!
Community and Events Fundraising Manager Andrew Everley said: “The Colour Run has been a mainstay in the hospice fundraising calendar for many years and guarantees you, your family and your friends fantastic memories whilst also raising vital funds for St David’s Hospice. It is always a fun experience for all involved. Open to ages three and up, the event is one for all of the family.”
Registration is £15 for adults, £10 for children and £45 for a family (based on two adults and two children). Entry includes a bottle of water, a sachet of coloured powder, funky sunglasses and medal for all those that complete the run. ● To sign up for the event visit https://stdavidshospice. org.uk/event/colour-run-2018/ or visit one of our hospice shops or St David’s Hospice on Abbey Road, Llandudno for a registration form. For more information contact Andrew Everley on 01492 873664.
WOODY’S Lodge is a charity that supports and mentors Armed Forces Veterans and their families, Reservists and Emergency Service personnel.
They also offer a signposting service making sure that the correct support is offered.
The charity, originally based at HMS Cambria, Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, is run by veterans with backing from help groups, whilst working in partnership with Project 360, an aged veterans programme.
The aims of Woody’s Lodge are to bring relevant agencies together to offer support for housing, finance, wellbeing and health; to facilitate meetings between service users, veterans (whatever age) and the required agencies and, finally, to create an environment for socialising and befriending, offering laughter, kindness and a sense of purpose, to provide respite for those at home.
The organisation was formed following the untimely death of Royal Marine Paul ‘Woody’ Woodland who, as a member of the Special Boat Service, was tragically killed in a training exercise in Poole Harbour in 2012.
His family wanted a memorial to Paul and, after meeting a group of local veterans in Penarth who needed a place to meet for a brew and a chat, they decided a drop in centre was the ideal platform for this.
As the charity has been a success in South Wales it was decided to try and replicate its services throughout the North Wales region and, on July 30, the centre was opened in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay.
Graham Jones, the Project Officer for Woody’s Lodge North Wales said: “The welfare of Armed Forces Veterans, Reservists and Emergency Service Personnel, is something which I am extremely passionate about, but for me, the families are just as important.
“While there are a number of services available to help Veterans through recovery, the families are sometimes forgotten about. I want to provide a safe and quiet environment for the wives, husbands, partners and children, along with veterans, to be able to enjoy and socialise with other families while giving them the appropriate support.”
As this is a North Wales project, the charity is looking to set up satellite locations for drop-in centres throughout the region and recruit volunteers to help run those centres.
If anyone has or knows of suitable offices, cafes or community centres, throughout North Wales, that can be utilised for this purpose then please contact Graham on 07562916312 or email him at graham. woodyslodge@ gmail. com.
Volunteers are also needed to assist with the Colwyn Bay centre, which is open Monday to Friday 9am-3pm and no appointment is necessary. Just drop by, the kettle is always on and the biscuit jar is full.