THE Leader would love to give a platform to charity and community champions across Wrexham and Flintshire. If you would like your fundraising efforts or community activities to feature, you can contact us direct here or email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk
Here are just some of those making a difference in their communities...
Deeside Home Care team leader Jenny Evans and owner/manager Natalie Marshall, with the cheque for funds raised.
• A CARE provider in Flintshire has raised funds for Dementia UK, in the tastiest way possible.
The team from home care agency Deeside Home Care, in Shotton, whipped up a baking treat at their recent tea party and open day in aid of the charity's biggest fundraiser of the year, Time for a Cuppa.
Colleagues, clients, friends and family came together, raising an incredible £540, which will go towards funding more specialist dementia nurses. The event was also attended by local councillors Helen Brown and Chrissy Gee.
Dementia UK's dementia specialist nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide life-changing advice and support, to anyone affected by dementia. But with rising numbers of families impacted by the condition, thousands of people are not getting the support they need.
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Agency owner Natalie Marshall said: "We are so thrilled to have raised such a great amount during our event to help more families access vital support through Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse service.
"A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the event and supported us in being able to reach our fundraising goal."
Dr Hilda Hayo, chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, added: "We believe every family affected by dementia should have the support of a specialist nurse but right now, we can't reach everyone who needs us.
"We are grateful to Deeside Home Care for taking part in Time for a Cuppa this year to help us to recruit more Admiral Nurses and provide a lifeline to families up and down the country who urgently need our support. There is no cure for dementia, but there is care."
The charity boxer with Russ Williams and with instructors Justin Fox, Andrew Roberts and Martin Griffiths Image: Russ Williams
• A CHARITY boxing night for amateur athletes will be held in Brymbo this weekend raising money for Cancer Research UK.
The annual event sees participants from 'all walks of life' train for eight weeks with former kickboxing world champion Russ Williams in his gyms in Wrexham and Caerwys.
They will also be working with instructors Justin Fox, Andrew Roberts and Martin Griffiths during the course. Many of the participants have no background in boxing and will be doing so for charity.
The participants will then be matched together by the instructors ready for the event. All normal classes at the gyms will resume as normal.
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The group is one of many over the years to participate in the event, held on June 10 at Brymbo Enterprise Centre, and is hoping to add to the amount raised so far for Cancer Research UK and reach over £100k.
They have been working with Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) since 2015.
Russ Williams said that UWCB chose his gym as a first in North Wales because as well as being Wales' only ever Undisputed World Kickboxing Champion, he is also qualified as a professional boxing coach licensed with the British Boxing Board of Control.
David Gregory, club president and a Melvin Jones Fellow, Ken Greig (Sychdyn), District Governor Mary Ann Woodman, Terry Withington (Bagillt) and Wyn Jones (Connah’s Quay).
• A CHARITABLE group in Flintshire with the community at its heart, has celebrated its 50th anniversary.
On Friday (May 19), Flint and District Lions Club celebrated the milestone at Travelodge Hotel, Northop Hall, with an event attended by members of clubs from as far afield as Fleetwood, Liverpool and Llandudno.
During the event, three of the club members were awarded with Melvin Jones Fellowships - Ken Greig,Terry Withington and Wyn Jones.
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These awards are named after the founder of Lions Clubs International and are made to Lions who have provided "dedicated humanitarian service".
Seven Fellowships have been presented to club members on previous occasions. The latest awards were made by District Governor Mary Ann Woodman, who was the principal guest at the event.
Mary Ann also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the club, signed by the Lions' Patron, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and recognises the achievement of 50 years' service.
A similar Certificate was awarded to John Gregory who has been a member of the club since its formation.
CEO Caroline Tudor-James outside the Rainbow Centre. Image: Gareth Iwan Jones
• THE Rainbow Foundation has introduced bereavement support groups within the Wrexham area.
The age charity based in Wrexham says bereavement is one of the most common of human experiences, but as loss can cause a variety of symptoms which affect people in different ways, it can be unnecessarily traumatic if people do not receive the support they need.
In 2018, the Welsh Government's Minister for Health and Social Services set out his aspirations for Wales to become the world's first 'compassionate country'.
Since then, work has been ongoing to spread the compassionate approach throughout Wales. This has led to the production of a Compassionate Cymru Charter.
In response, The Rainbow Foundation appointed Wrexham-wide Compassionate Cymru Connector Lisa White who works with individuals, organisations, and communities to improve how people in Wrexham care, die and grieve.
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As part of the initiative, The Rainbow Foundation has launched four Bereavement Support Groups across three different locations where people can connect with others.
Lisa said: "Most people will experience bereavement in their lives which is why we put in place a series of Bereavement Support Groups meeting monthly in Central Wrexham, Marchwiel and Penycae. The aim is to provide a safe space for people to talk in a supportive way about bereavement and what it means to them.'
For more information on any of the Bereavement Support Groups contact Lisa White on 01948 830730.
• A CHARITY is holding a free community support event in Wrexham this weekend.
Bowel Cancer UK will be holding the event for people affected by bowel cancer. It’s also an opportunity to meet others going through similar experiences and hear from expert speakers about the disease.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Wales with more than 2,500 people diagnosed every year.
Throughout the day those attending will have the chance to connect with others who are going through a similar experience. They will also learn more about bowel cancer from experts on topics such as looking after your emotional wellbeing, living well with a stoma, eating well, keeping active and getting back to exercise.
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The event, ‘Living well with bowel cancer’ is designed to help attendees feel better able to cope with bowel cancer and find out how Bowel Cancer UK can support them and their loved ones through their diagnosis and treatment.
Catherine Winsor, director of services and support at Bowel Cancer UK, says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for those affected by bowel cancer to learn more about living well with the disease and the support services provided by the charity. We’d love for you to join us on Saturday, June 10 and be welcomed into our wonderful community.”
To find out more about this event and register to attend please visit: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/wrexham-event
Leader Charity Champions
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