Volunteers are so vital

RELYING on public donations for 90% of our income, at the NSPCC we have been hit hard during the pandemic with cancelled or postponed mass participation events, as have many other charities.

This Volunteers Week, I want to pay tribute to our volunteers across Wales who have risen to what would have been an unthinkable challenge at the turn of the year.

Undaunted, our fundraising volunteers have rallied behind us, finding new ways to raise money - including virtual challenges and daily exercise fundraisers – to help us fund our direct services and helplines.

Our Childline volunteers in Prestatyn and Cardiff have adapted to a new way of working, enabling a constant presence for worried children and young people in these chaotic times.

We’ve also seen volunteers within our schools service, not able to deliver our free safeguarding assemblies in primary schools at the moment, turn their hand to fundraising.

We are indebted to them all, as they continue to flex to the changing path ahead of them.

During this uncertainty, together we are ensuring we are still here for children across the country.

Nigel Impey

Head of Supporter Fundraising, NSPCC Cymru

NEIL EDWARDS Amazing system with the guys at Nantycaws tip. They controlled the system well and radio through to each other but they can’t help numptys not listening to appointments only. Diolch guys, keep up good work. CHRIS HILSON People are so bored at home that even a trip to the tip becomes an exciting adventure. BARRY DAVIES I didn’t have any problems. In and out including small queue in half an hour. Well organised. If people turn up without arranged booking, well... JAYNE HANCOCK Wern

Ddu Ammanford tip, excellent service there. Well organised.

Four people and a child from Worcester in England were escorted from west Wales after they were caught “going to the beach” 170 miles from home. Police officers stopped their car on the A477 near Kilgetty on Wednesday. Here are some of your views:

NIGEL HOPKINS This is because the government had allowed England to drive ANY distance to exercise or see people at a social 2m distance. The problem we have is a lot of people in England still don’t know Wales has restrictions on travel.

SAM BOOKER They best have been checking their eyesight!

JANET EVANS Hope they were fined. Why did they chance it? Common sense not quite so common unfortunately.