The British Red Cross has been honoured by Her Majesty’s High Sheriff of Dyfed for its ‘outstanding work’ and ‘valuable service’ to the communities of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The honorary distinction is bestowed upon individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to charity and voluntary work in the preserved county of Dyfed.

A ceremony marking the contribution of charities including the British Red Cross, Mind, MacMillan and Marie Curie was held at the Halliwell Centre on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus on Wednesday, February 15.

High Sheriff Professor Medwin Hughes met the Red Cross’ independent living operations manager for the area Annie Fazackarley and local representatives Lisa Davies and Lesley Davies.

The trio play key roles in delivering Red Cross community services in West Wales, including Home from Hospital, Support at Home and Positive Steps.

The Red Cross also delivers emergency response services, provides first aid support and training, supports refugees and asylum seekers and provides access to mobility aids for those who find themselves requiring help in the short term.

British Red Cross staff and volunteers have worked at the heart of the communities of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion for more than 100 years.

During the First World War, the charity operated auxiliary hospitals in Carmarthen, Llandovery, Llanelli, Haverfordwest, Tenby and Aberystwyth and, during the Second World War, its emergency health services in the area were visited by dignitaries, including Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent.

Dozens of nurse volunteers from across West Wales volunteered during both wars and that tradition of community service continues to this day with the Red Cross helping patients on their discharge from hospital and supporting vulnerable people to ensure they can live independently at home.

In honouring the Red Cross, High Sheriff of Dyfed Professor Medwin Hughes said he always told his students to ‘never forget the power of the collective. We as a group can make a difference.’

Describing Red Cross volunteers as ‘outstanding people,’ he said the organisation was a ‘champion of independent living’ in West Wales.

He added: “These are people who have given, not only their own support for those in need, but who have offered a global voluntary network to make a difference across the world and, here in Carmarthenshire, the Red Cross is no different.”

Annie Fazackarley, independent living service operations manager for West Wales, said: “We do not do the work we do for recognition or awards; we do it because we are passionate about people, passionate about refusing to ignore those in crisis and passionate about the communities we live in and serve.

“We would not be able to deliver the services we do without the commitment of our team of volunteers and staff.”

She added: “It is also important, on an occasion like this, when the Red Cross is being honoured for its contribution to the communities of West Wales, that we acknowledge the crucial contribution those communities make to the work of the Red Cross and note how generations of people have served our organisation in this area for more than a century.”

There are presently 110 British Red Cross volunteers serving Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and, in 2016, almost £20,000 was raised for the charity in those three counties alone.

The Red Cross has shops in Carmarthen, Llanelli, Llandeilo, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron and is always looking for volunteers to help deliver its many services.

For more information, visit www.redcross.org.uk