Inspired by classmate Grace, Llanelli pupils raise over £130 for charity

Six pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant in Llanelli have turned inspiration into action, raising more than £130 for charity after setting up a handmade stall at school — all sparked by the story of their classmate Grace Williams, recently named Nation Radio’s Pride of Wales Young Fundraiser of the Year.

Selling loom bands, bracelets, and other creative items, the group — Isabelle Millet, Liliwen Morris, Nel Millard, Cali West, Avalyn John, and Scarlett Price — donated the proceeds to Action for Children, Maggie’s, Cancer Research UK, and Sandy Bear.

“We are incredibly proud of our young fundraisers,” said teacher Elliw Roberts. “Their creativity, teamwork, and compassion have been truly inspiring. Grace’s story clearly had a powerful impact on them.”

Grace, 10, has raised thousands for charity through her own bracelet-making efforts, and was honoured in June for her dedication to helping vulnerable children across the UK. Her mother, Kirsty Williams, said seeing Grace’s journey inspire others was “just amazing.”

“Grace has always wanted to help others,” she said. “To know that her journey has encouraged other children to do the same is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

The school says it plans to continue supporting pupil-led initiatives, with hopes that this will be the first of many fundraising efforts sparked by young changemakers.

More Llanelli stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli Town Council leader hits back at ‘lazy stereotyping’ in national media
Published July 2025: Cllr David Darkin responds to national coverage of the town, defending its community spirit and challenging outdated portrayals.

Councillor warns against further service losses in Llanelli amid health board consultation
Published July 2025: Local leaders raise concerns over potential cuts to healthcare services as Hywel Dda reviews its long-term strategy.

Llanelli town centre to see summer crackdown on crime and antisocial behaviour
Published July 2025: Police and council teams launch targeted patrols and community engagement to tackle rising concerns in the town centre.

Llanelli Town AFC appoints Colin Staples as new general manager
Published July 2025: The club welcomes a new leadership figure with deep ties to Welsh football, aiming to strengthen its community and competitive ambitions.

#ActionForChildren #CancerResearchUK #Charity #fundraising #Llanelli #Maggies #SandyBear #YsgolDewiSant

Llanelli’s Grace Williams crowned Young Fundraiser of the Year at Pride of Wales Awards

The glittering ceremony was attended by celebrities including Ruth Jones and Fin & Sioned from Race Across the World.

Grace has raised thousands of pounds, showing that even the smallest hands can make a big impact. What started as a fun craft project quickly turned into a powerful mission to help vulnerable children and families across the UK.

Inspired by her mum, Kirsty Williams, a prolific and passionate fundraiser herself, Grace combined creativity with compassion and quickly won hearts across her community and beyond.

“I just wanted to do something to help children who don’t have as much as I do after watching my mum do loads of fundraising work for Action for Children.” said Grace. “Making loom bands is fun, and I love that it can make a difference by raising so much money.”

Grace’s mum, Kirsty, expressed just how proud she is of her daughter: “Grace has such a kind heart, and watching her take the initiative and pour so much love into her fundraising has been incredible. She’s always watched me fundraise, but to see her make her own mark at just 10 years old is something I’ll never forget. I’m beyond proud.”

Action for Children, which works to protect and support children and young people, praised Grace’s efforts as “truly extraordinary,” adding that her compassion and commitment are a beacon of hope.

“We are absolutely thrilled for Grace,” said Laurie Ryall, Director for Action for Children in Wales. “She is an inspiration to other young people and a shining example of how one small idea, combined with kindness and determination, can have a big impact.”

Grace received her award at a special ceremony celebrating unsung heroes from across Wales, where she received a standing ovation. As she continues her loom band fundraising journey, Grace serves as a powerful reminder that you’re never too young to change the world. 

#ActionForChildren #awards #Charity #fundraising #Llanelli #PrideOfWales

#israel #palestine : #war / #gaza / #women / #ngo / #humanity / #dissent / #actionforchildren / #interview

„Not only abroad, but also within his own country, Israels’ Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is finally facing growing and substantial protests against his war in Gaza. After he broke the ceasefire on March 18 and launched a new attack on Gaza, a number of women took the initiative to set up ‘Action for Children’.“

https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/06/02/these-could-be-our-children-israeli-women-opposing-the-war-an-interview/

Swansea children’s charity team up with Traitors star and Ospreys players for kids mental health sessions

The rugby and Traitors stars helped Ospreys in the Community celebrate their Bouncing Back Plus partnership with Action for Children with a huge event at the Swansea.com Stadium in Swansea. 

Over 550 primary school children joined the celebrations and were treated to rugby sessions, physical exercise and games as well as mental health workshops. 

Volunteers from Action for Children, EE, Ospreys in the Community, Wales Hockey and students from Gower College all gave up their time to deliver a memorable day for the children with Traitors star, Andrew Jenkins, giving talks on improving mental health. 

Ospreys stars Luke Scully, Connor Moyse and Rhys Henry were also on hand to take part in interviews with the children in the stadium press room.

The charity teamed up with the rugby region’s community arm, supported by the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership, 4 years ago to deliver a combination of classroom-based Cognitive and Dialectical behavioural therapy (CBT and DBT) techniques and physical exercises such as touch rugby on the playground.

Bouncing Back Plus started in September 2021 and the partnership has delivered the programme in 73 schools to 3575 across the Ospreys region.  Of those who took part, 97% indicated an increase in their level of confidence following the programme, 97% indicated an increase in their ability to cope in stressful situations while 97% now know who to ask for help as a result of Bouncing Back Plus.

Omowunmi and Praise from Sea View Community Primary School in Swansea have taken the Bouncing Back Plus programme in the last year and were at the celebration. 

Omowunmi said: ‘It’s been really helpful because I can help other people and myself when I feel a bit stressed or panicked.  The best thing was the finger breathing, hot chocolate breathing and the Mexican wave, they were all really fun.  I would like to see other children do this a lot, as it really helped me.’ 

Praise added: “In my everyday life, I use Bouncing Back most of the time because sometimes I feel like I’m not good at things and I get annoyed or angry so the hot chocolate breathing calms me down.  We also learned about endorphins, so it’s really helped me in the way I think about the things I do.  I really want other children to join in as it’s really helped me, and it will help other children too.”

Christina Williams manages the Bouncing Back Plus programme for Action for Children in the region and said: “We are exceptionally proud of our Bouncing Back Plus partnership with Ospreys in the Community and it’s been brilliant celebrating with over 550 children who’ve benefitted from the programme.  We’ve been running Bouncing Back Plus for nearly four years and the results here have been amazing.  The importance of early intervention on the mental health of young people cannot be overstated so getting everyone together for a day of fun activities has been wonderful.

“The children have been able to interview professional rugby players, Luke Scully, Connor Moyse and Rhys Henry, asking them questions in the press room about the impact physical activity has on their mental health and the struggles and pressures they face alongside doing what they love. Additionally, the young people had a Q&A session with Andrew Jenkins from the BBC hit show, The Traitors. They discussed emotional resilience and the pressures of being a celebrity. Giving the children these opportunities to explore the stadium whilst looking after their emotional wellbeing is invaluable.”

Tom Sloane, Head of Community at Ospreys in the Community, said: “To see over 550 children having a great day out at our stadium was fantastic.  We know the positive benefits Bouncing Back Plus has on our children and with all the challenges social media brings as well as the current challenging economic conditions, that’s been absolutely critical.  They’ll have had an experience like no other, seeing behind the scenes, the changing rooms and having so much fun with all the staff from Ospreys in the Community, EE, Action for Children, Wales Hockey and Gower College that I hope it inspires them for years to come.”

(Lead image: Action for Children)

#ActionForChildren #AndrewJenkins #Baglan #BouncingBackPlus #Mayhill #mentalHealth #Ospreys #OspreysInTheCommunity #SeaViewPrimary #TheTraitors #YsgolBaeBaglan

Cabinet Secretary visits new Pembrokeshire children’s home

Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government has visited Action for Children’s new therapeutic children’s home in Pembrokeshire on Thursday 30th January.  

During her visit, she met with staff and toured Ty Hydref, the newly refurbished property situated just south of Narberth as the charity prepares the four bedroomed home to receive its first children in the Spring. 

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said: “It was wonderful to visit Action for Children’s new Ty Hydref residential children’s home and meet with staff to hear about their experiences.  

“This facility will provide vital support and care for children with complex needs, and I am so proud that we’ve been able to support the renovation works through our Housing with Care Fund.  I would very much like to see this project’s approach replicated in other areas facing similar challenges and demands for tailored support.”

Laurie Ryall, Action for Children’s director in Wales, said: “It was great to welcome the cabinet secretary to our new children’s home.  We are exceptionally proud of our homes in Wales and the impact they have on young lives that have often experienced a lot of trauma.  She was genuinely interested in our therapeutic approach to supporting care-experienced children and our contribution to the not-for-profit market.”

Jonathan Lewis is Ty Hydref’s registered manager.  He added: “It’s taken a lot of hard work to reach this point, but we are delighted with the home.  It’s a beautiful property and we have finished it to a very high standard.  We have made it a real home from home and I’m sure the children will quickly feel as comfortable and safe as possible in our loving environment.  It was an honour to welcome the cabinet secretary to Ty Hydref and we look forward to welcoming her back soon.”

Lead image: Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant MS with left to right, Action for Children Wales director, Laurie Ryall, Head of Business Development for Action for Children in Wales and Northern Ireland, AfC Registered manager Jonathan Lewis and AfC Operational Director in Wales Sandra White 

#ActionForChildren #children #JayneBryantMS #Narbeth #Pembrokeshire #residentialHome #WelshGovernment

 Sue has called time on a career that has seen her be at the forefront of pioneering services that have helped transform the lives of families across the county. 

As practice manager, she has delivered projects that support families with children with mental health issues, women who have had their children taken into care or adopted and innovative mental health initiatives in schools such as ‘Feeling the Fizz.’ 

During the Covid 19 crisis, she helped ensure services continued in the most challenging of conditions and her commitment to the families and her team was second to none.  Her last official act was attending the Action for Children ball in Llanelli recently where she was honoured by Kirsty Williams and Sarah Maclean, Carmarthenshire’s Action for Children Action Squad. 

Speaking about her forthcoming retirement Sue said:

“It’s been 33 amazing years with Action for Children, and I can’t quite believe it’s the end. 

“We’ve built a brilliant and passionate team here that always goes the extra mile for the families we support in Carmarthenshire. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with them all and it’s very difficult to walk away. 

“I leave the team in a great place and I’m looking forward to reflecting on the great times, camaraderie, and friendships as I enter my retirement.” 

Charlotte Phillips, Children’s Services Manager for Action for Children in Mid and West Wales added:

“It’s difficult to measure the immense impact of Sue’s contribution to Action for Children and the families we proudly support in Carmarthenshire. It has been 33 years of passion and dedication and she will be sorely missed. 

“Staff and families have lined up to pay tribute to Sue and it’s been really moving to see just what she means to people.  She will leave a huge hole but her legacy is a brilliant team and she richly deserves a long and happy retirement. 

“We will always be grateful for everything she achieved.”

[Lead image: Action for Children]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/26/practice-manager-retires-after-33-years-of-supporting-carmarthenshire-families/

#ActionForChildren

This is one of my favourite eggs from the Great Egg Hunt held in London in 2012.
Happy Easter to all you ‘Good Eggs’ on Mastodon.

#Easter #ElephantFamily #Actionforchildren #Matryoshkadoll #egg #wisewords