Thanks to generous public support over previous years, in 2012, the Friends of South Pembs. Hospital took a chance to extend their monthly coffee mornings in Pembroke Town Hall to include table-top sales.

These grew steadily over the year, and the money raised has paid for many items, both large and small, which have been donated for use in the hospital, and which hospital funding does not cover.

Last year, these included 10 new wheelchairs, trips and entertainment for the day unit were paid for, and Easter eggs and Christmas gifts were given to each patient on Sunderland Ward.

The Friends of South Pembs. Hospital began their fundraising activities for this year with the first of their monthly coffee mornings and table-top sales on Tuesday.

Usually held on the second Tuesday morning of each month in Pembroke Town Hall, they kicked-off magnificently with a full house of tables showing a wide variety of local crafts, including jewellery, paintings, wood turning, cards, baby items, books, natural skin-care, and health care.

People chatting and relaxing with a warming cup of tea and freshly baked cake gave their opinions of the imminent closure of our much needed and well-used Minor Injury Unit and were wanting answers from the Welsh Assembly. How could they justify the closure, and how could politicians expect non-drivers to transport elderly accident victims or an injured child to Withybush Hospital on our inadequate transport system? Sadly, The Friends had no answers.

If you would like to support The Friends in any way, they are always looking for new members and new ideas.

They are always well-advertised in the What's On section of this paper, as well as with posters around the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock area, and on Radio Pembrokeshire.

The next coffee morning and table-top sale is on Tuesday, March 12. Entrance is free, but there is a small charge for tables, which must be booked in advance because demand is high.

For further information, please call Lynne 01646 684513.