The generosity of the people of Pembrokeshire has gained official recognition at a special reception at County Hall hosted by County Council chairman John George.

The guests were representatives of groups who in the last few months have raised a total of just on £9,500 in the county for the Pembrokeshire branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

County Clr. George and Carolyn Holt (Cystic Fibrosis fund-raiser for Wales) paid tribute to the many local people who unstintingly give their time and money to good causes.

Donations came from the Peter Bowen Racing Stables raised through their Charity Open Day, the Murco team which successfully completed the Three Peaks Challenge in less than 24 hours and Llangwm Rowing Club - all of whom also made donations to other charities.

There was a special mention of Merrilee Phillips, of Templeton, and her team of 42 walkers whose 'Mia's Summer Seven Walk' was dedicated to Chloe Piper, a CF patient who died earlier in the year. Chloe was the grand-daughter of former branch secretary, Mrs. Barbara Piper and Mr. John Piper, of Broad Haven.

Merrilee has been an outstanding fund-raiser since the birth of her daughter Mia seven years ago. At that time, she and her husband Chris pledged that they would raise £25,000 by the time that Mia, who has Cystic Fibrosis, reached her fifth birthday. They achieved their goal and have now brought in over £30,000. Merrilee is now in training for the Cardiff Half Marathon which takes place on October 18.

There was also a 'thank you' to Elizabeth Yates, of Trefin, who recently took over as branch secretary and quickly set about fund-raising with her very successful Cymanfa Ganu at Capel Bach, Trefin.

The Pembrokeshire branch of the CF Trust was founded 33 years ago and is the longest established branch in Wales.