The happy atmosphere of many friends supporting a cause that was dear to their hearts added to the success last week of the annual Pembrokeshire Cystic Fibrosis Pembrokeshire branch dinner.
Nearly 130 supporters attended the dinner at Wolfscastle Country Hotel which was arranged, once again, by branch president Penny Drew.
In a room decorated with colourful balloons and with music by Ken Morgan at the piano, this was a truly festive occasion as the branch marked the launch of the 40th anniversary of the formation of the CF Trust.
The guests, who included MP Jackie Lawrence, many civic dignitaries, recently appointed chief executive of the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, Mr. Frank O'Sullivan, NHS Trust chairman, Mrs. Lynette George, as well as CF Board Board member, Adrian Llewelyn Jones, and CF fund-raising manager for Wales, Carolyn Holt, were welcomed by branch chairman, Sybil Edwards.
During the evening, Phil Thompson, Texaco personnel officer, whose company has had a presence in the county for 40 years, presented a cheque for £400 to Mrs. Drew in recognition of the joint Cystic Fibrosis/Texaco anniversary.
Pembrokeshire branch members Chris and Merrilee Phillips, whose 12-month-old daughter Mia is a CF patient, took the opportunity to hand over a cheque for £2,103, bringing the Mia Appeal Fund to date to just under £7,000. The couple, who live in Templeton, set up the appeal for the benefit of all CF patients shortly after Mia was born and they have been greatly supported by their families and many friends.
Mrs. Holt thanked the branch for the sterling work they had put into fund-raising since the branch was formed in 1978, stressing the benefit this had brought to patients and families and there was special mention of the unceasing efforts of branch secretary, Barbara Piper, supported by her husband, John.
The evening concluded with a programme of familiar songs by Nicci Miles, who enchanted with her easy, professional style and delightful voice. Nicci, who had taken part in the CF abseil at St. David's last year, was determined to play her part in the evening, despite still being on crutches after a serious motoring accident some months ago.