Just under £23,000 has been raised in Pembrokeshire in the past year to support the work of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Of the sum raised, a splendid £8,500 has come from local schools.
Members of branches all over the county were congratulated at their recent annual meeting on this achievement, and there was a special tribute to the schools and the NSPCC schools co-ordinator Sue Hunt.
"Last year the schools in Pembrokeshire Education Authority brought in just a few hundred pounds. This is a fantastic achievement," said South Wales community appeals manager, Julie Richards.
Mrs. Richards also spoke of the valuable experience and local knowledge of the branch members and sole fund-raisers which ensured that the NSPCC could continue its work of prevention, identification and strong campaigning on behalf of the children. "Every child matters," she said.
The guest speaker at the meeting at Wolfscastle Country Hotel was Helena Jones, of the NSPCC domestic violence prevention team, who talked about her work with teenage boys with behaviour problems - 'seeking to save other women from the fate of their mothers.'
A vote of thanks was proposed by branch chairman, Canon Michael Butler and the meeting was opened by Pembrokeshire president, Mrs. Penny Drew.