The Pembrokeshire branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has launched its 40th anniversary celebrations with a reception in County Hall, Haverfordwest.

Trust members and supporters were guests of Pembrokeshire County Council chairman, Paul Harries, who arranged the event to mark the important milestone.

The reception kick-starts a year of activities which the Trust hopes will raise £40,000 in the fight against CF.

Special guests at the reception were the two sons of one of the Trust’s founders, Grace Lloyd.

Peter and Nigel Lloyd were accompanied by Peter’s wife, Mair. Unfortunately Nigel’s wife, Pauline - who has proved herself as an imaginative fundraiser - was delayed by work commitments.

Also present was 15-year-old CF patient Mia Phillips - the reception’s one permitted patient since the realisation in 1992 of the high risk of cross-infection. This has led to the need for isolation where once families were able to get together for mutual support.

Mia’s mother, Merrilee, is an active fundraiser and was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Haverfordwest.

Trust chairman, Sybil Edwards, said afterwards: “This was an unforgettable and inspiring event. We are deeply grateful to Clr. Paul Harries for giving us this opportunity to bring together members and supporters as we launch our biggest ever fund-raising challenge.

“It was through the initiative of Grace Lloyd - who died five years ago - that the branch came into being and I would like to dedicate our fundraising this year to the memory of this wonderful, selfless and very determined lady.”