Thousands of pounds have been raised for an essential local charity during a reunion of two lost local schools.
Haverfordwest Sheriff, Jill Owens, organised the first reunion last year when she was mayor.
“It dawned upon me that it seemed, with the appearance of the new Haverfordwest High school, that the two previous schools Tasker Milward and Sir Thomas Picton seemed to have disappeared without any lasting memory ,” she said.
(Image: Jill Owens) “The two schools hold a lot of memories for Pembrokeshire students .
“I came upon a plan to arrange a reunion bash at the Wolfscastle Country Hotel with the intention to raise enough money to purchase and sponsor an annual award in the name of the old schools for years to come for a nominated pupil at the new high school.”
This year the Past Pupils Award was won by Year 11 student Harri Evans, who was nominated as ‘an exemplary student’ and ‘an excellent role model’ who gives 100 per cent dedication to his responsibilities, whether it is on the rugby pitch, in the classroom, representing his year group or raising money for charity.
“His unwavering commitment to his duties make him a highly respected and influential member of Haverfordwest High.,” said the school’s Reg White. “He has been and will continue to be an asset to our school.”
(Image: Jill Owens) Cllr Owens and committee members Jude Hearne and Tim Pounder decided that the money raised from this year’s event should go to local charity, Adam’s Bucketful of Hope.
The charity was set up by the family of Adam Evans-Thomas, who have been fundraising for almost 30 years.
Adam, who died of leukaemia in 2007 at the age of 35, started the fundraising by raising £45,000 in 1993 to test 3,000 potential Bone Marrow Donors from Pembrokeshire for the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Register.
Since his death, a high dependency room called the Pembrokeshire Room in Cardiff’s Heath Hospital has been funded by his charity.
In 2009 Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre was opened and finally in 2017, the much-needed state-of-the-art new CDU in Withybush Hospital – called the Pembrokeshire Haematology and Oncology Day Unit was completed.
“What better cause than to donate to one of our own peers Adam Evans Thomas, who sadly lost his battle with cancer too early and too soon,” said Cllr Owens.
(Image: Jill Owens)
“Chris, his Mum has done so much work and raised amazing amounts of money to be used locally by the Adam’s Bucketful of Hope and we were so honoured to play our part and help in this.”
The event raised £2,000 for the charity which provides emotional support and distraction therapy for patients and their carers.
“In this moment in time when things are so hard for everyone, we do appreciate what people are doing for us to keep us open and moving forward,” said Chris.