PEMBROKESHIRE Action to Combat Hardship held its annual general meeting at the Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company on Wednesday, September 10.

Mark Owen from the chocolate factory began the evening by surprising PATCH with a cheque for £241. The money had been raised by the sale of the PATCH charity chocolate bars.

PATCH is The Port of Milford Haven and Radio Pembrokeshire’s charity of the year and guest speakers from both companies gave speeches about their involvement.

Other speakers were PATCH's chairman Dennis O’Connor who spoke of his pride in being associated with the local charity and co-ordinator Tracy Olin who thanked the people of Pembrokeshire for their continued support.

Staff and volunteers gave presentations of projects they are involved in. Carol Clayton the ‘basics bank’ supervisor told of the growing need for food, clothing and household items, Amy Picton spoke of her involvement in the Christmas Toy Appeal, David Baker spoke on the fruit and vegetable coop that is held at PATCH HQ in Milford Haven every Wednesday and Lou Pooley spoke on the hot meals project ‘Fill Your Boots’ and explained they needed more cafes to get involved with the voucher scheme.

This was followed by a talk by David Lamb who gave details of a basic IT skills project that starts Monday, September 22. It is a Communities 2.0 project that David will facilitate, starting with a first click course free to anybody that needs help.

Please call Tracy on 07775571431 for more details.