A charity fundraiser from Pembrokeshire has been praised after being shortlisted in the finals of the Tidy Wales Awards, supported by the Helping Hand Company.

Amanda Absalom-Lowe, of Haverfordwest, received her award in a prestigious ceremony in Cardiff hosted by S4C presenter Sian Thomas and rugby champion Tom Shanklin.

The national awards ceremony recognised people and groups throughout Wales who work tirelessly to improve their local environment.

Amanda, whose charitable organisation is called ‘Pembrokeshire Care, Share and Give’ (recycle for charity) was a runner-up in the Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by John Lewis. She was presented with a certificate and a £50 John Lewis Voucher.

In February, Amanda also won The Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero Green Awards sponsored by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

She started to raise money for charity when her daughter Megan - who is now five years old - was born six weeks premature and had to undergo lifesaving open heart surgery at eight-months-old. She said the Maternity and Special Baby Care Unit Services at Singleton, Glangwili and Withybush hospitals were outstanding and she wanted to give something back to express her gratitude.

Amanda said she was shocked and overwhelmed at the news that she was a finalist. “I’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to each and every person who has supported my husband Mark and I from the start and continues to support us with their help and donations,” she said.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: “The groups shortlisted for this year’s Tidy Wales Awards are all worthy finalists that have improved the quality of life for people in their communities and I’d like to thank them for their hard work.”

Lesley Jones, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, added: “The Tidy Wales Awards celebrates people of all ages taking part in a wide range of green initiatives.

“These people are an inspiration and a great example in their community.”