Cystic Fibrosis branch members and supporters in Pembrokeshire have been involved in major fund-raising activities in the past months as the Cystic Fibrosis Trust marked the 40th anniversary of its formation and at last week's branch meeting acting treasurer, Chris Phillips, reported on many successes. Since the beginning of the financial year, the Mia Appeal, set-up by Chris and his wife Merrilee on the birth of their daughter Mia, has contributed over £3,000 to branch funds, and Mia herself, now coming up to her second birthday, took part with other tinies in last year's Big Bounce. This brings the total raised to date by the appeal to around £13,000. The revival of the Western Telegraph Pram Push added nearly £3,500, with the July Art Exhibition and Auction in Haverfordwest Library, bringing in over £2,600, while there have been donations from a range of organisations and individuals. An important and notable occasion in last year's programme was the 40th anniversary service at St. Davids Cathedral when the congregation stood in remembrance of Pembrokeshire's Cystic Fibrosis patients whose lives were cut short by this condition. During the year. Katrina Field Thomas, of Tenby, celebrated her 40th birthday, but the celebrations that were to have marked Mark Lloyd's 40th birthday in September were cancelled after the death in an accident in June of his 10-year-old son Josh. Mark himself died only three months later and at the wish of Mark's family there were family flowers only at his funeral. Donations in lieu of wreaths have realised £1,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which the branch acknowledges with gratitude. Plans, including a Big Bounce and street collections in Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Narberth, are now in hand for Cystic Fibrosis Week which runs from April 16-24. It has, however, not been possible, this year, to arrange the usual annual dinner, normally held at the end of January.
