Latest news with #RadnorHills
Powys County Times
18-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Herefordshire man raises £6k for children's charity
A Knighton marketing manager has raised more than £6,000 for a children's charity. Chris Butler, who works for Radnor Hills, completed a 177-mile walk along Offa's Dyke in six days. The father of one took on the challenge to raise money for Abbie's Army, a charity that funds medical research into DIPG, a children's brain cancer. The 35-year-old, who lives in Herefordshire, said: "It was an incredible journey, and I'm delighted to have smashed my fundraising target. "I'd like to thank everyone who donated and supported me, including my best mate Michael Cresswell who took time out to tackle a huge chunk of the walk. "Special thanks also go to my dad, Paul, who followed me all the way down the trail keeping me topped up with supplies and kept me going in the heatwave, and to my wife Holly and our son, Arthur, who inspired me to take on this challenge and who have kept my head in the game throughout. "Abbie's Army is a remarkable charity dedicated to funding vital research into this devastating disease and offering support to families facing this life-altering challenge." Abbie Mifsud was just six years old when she died of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an inoperable and incurable cancer in her brainstem. DIPG is a highly aggressive form of cancer with no effective treatment currently available. It almost exclusively affects children under the age of eleven. Abbie died in 2011, just five months after being diagnosed. Mr Butler added: "As the dad of a three-year-old, I can't even begin to imagine what families living with DIPG are going through and I just knew I had to do something to help.
Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Heart of Wales Line to celebrate Community Rail Week
The Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership is set to celebrate Community Rail Week from May 19 to 25. The week-long event, coinciding with the Railway 200 anniversary, aims to highlight the role of the railway in uniting people. A networking event will kick off the celebrations as part of the partnership's Make and Trade project. This initiative connects independent makers and traders along the Heart of Wales Line, promoting the visibility of local businesses. The event is scheduled to take place at Radnor Hills, an award-winning spring water and soft drinks manufacturer in Knighton, on May 19 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. It will feature a short marketing session led by Megan Birch and Chris Butler from the host business, followed by a tour of the facilities. The Make and Trade project recently received funding from the Community Rail Network to produce a 50-page booklet highlighting businesses in each town along the Heart of Wales line. The brochure, showcasing attractions, shops, and unique products linked to the railway, will be distributed at tourist hotspots across the UK. Businesses interested in being featured in the brochure can apply by emailing heartwalesline@ Owen Griffkin, community rail officer, said: "This event is all about bringing people together and creating new partnerships that can make use of the railway to attract new customers. "Having the support of Radnor Hills, one of the most recognisable companies along the line, will be a real asset to the project. "The company's experience in marketing and branding will be invaluable in helping smaller, local businesses reach new audiences." The following day, May 20, will focus on the heritage of the railway as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations. A drop-in event titled Trains, Tales and Tea will take place at the new KDM Gaming Hub in the recently-renovated Automobile Palace in Llandrindod Wells. Scheduled from 2pm to 4pm, the event invites members of the public to share stories, photographs, and memorabilia connected to the railway's past. Mr Griffkin added: "Railways have shaped our communities for generations. "This event is a chance for people to share their memories and help us capture the social history of the line for future generations." The week will also include environmental enhancements, with 15 new planters being installed at five stations across Powys, supported by a Places for Nature grant from Powys County Council. This will boost biodiversity and create a more welcoming station environment for passengers and volunteers. In addition, Mr Griffkin will accompany a group of primary school pupils on their return train journey from Radnorshire Wildlife Trust's Pentwyn Farm site near Llanbister Road Station, highlighting the railway's contribution to environmental education and community involvement. Bill Freeman, Community Rail Network interim chief executive, said: "We're proud to see such a packed programme of community-led activities being held across Britain during Community Rail Week, especially during Railway 200 anniversary year. "Community Rail Week shines a spotlight on community rail partnerships and station volunteer groups and the innovative projects they deliver across Britain, bringing people together and promoting the benefits of rail."
Powys County Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Radnor Hills: Welsh drinks firm helps care home residents
A Welsh soft drinks company is helping care home residents and staff stay hydrated. Radnor Hills has teamed up with Oakland Care, a care home group with homes located in Essex, Kent, East Sussex, and Oxfordshire. Oakland Care has started stocking a variety of Radnor Hills' beverages in all 10 of its homes. To ensure that both staff and residents are drinking enough fluids throughout the day, the care homes have been hosting healthy hydration days. During these days, Tetra packs of Radnor's juice range, which are made with real fruit juice and have no added sugar, are distributed. The care homes have also received samples of Heartsease Farm Sparkling Premium Presses, which are made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and contain no artificial sweeteners. Lambwood Heights Care Home in Chigwell, Essex, is one of the homes in the group that has been offering these beverages to its residents. The drinks have also been used as a base for fresh fruit smoothies. Lucy Malchar, lifestyles manager at Lambwood Heights, said: "We are always looking for fun and different ways to make hydration and nutrition more interesting. "Our goal is to encourage individuals to increase their fluid intake in a way that feels natural and enjoyable, rather than forced. "Using Radnor's drinks in smoothies is a great way to help people be more hydrated. "Additionally, blending various drinks and fresh fruit ingredients allows us to introduce essential nutrients that people may not normally be plateable to without being detected. "For example, I wouldn't usually be accustomed to eating spinach, but within a smoothie, the taste is unnoticeable. "Our residents really enjoyed the smoothie-making class and trying new flavour combinations. "It's a win-win for both health and enjoyment." Annika James, Oakland Care's development chef, added: "Hydration is a key factor in lowering ailments and issues in the body. "Dehydrated people can suffer from constipation, falls, UTIs, low blood pressure, confusion and even pressure sores. "This is why we promote healthy fluid intake for all our residents and staff. "We use a variety of techniques to keep residents hydrated including plenty of fluids and water-dense foods such as ice creams, jellies, soups and fruits." Chris Butler, marketing manager for Radnor Hills, said: "Dehydration can be hard to detect in older people so making sure they have enough to drink is crucially important.
Powys County Times
25-04-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
Powys worker raises £2,600 for children's brain cancer fund
A marketing manager is training for a 177-mile charity walk. Chris Butler, who works for Radnor Hills, is preparing to walk the length of Offa's Dyke over the course of six days. The award-winning Powys-based soft drinks producer employee is hoping to raise money for Abbie's Army, a brain cancer charity which funds medical research to give hope to families. Abbie Mifsud was only six years old when she died from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an inoperable and incurable cancer in the brainstem. DIPG is a highly aggressive form of cancer that primarily affects children under the age of 11 and currently has no effective treatment options. Abbie passed away in 2011, just five months after being diagnosed. Mr Butler,35, will set off from Prestatyn on the North Wales coast on Tuesday, April 29, and is expecting to arrive in the south at Sedbury Cliffs on the Severn Estuary on Sunday. He said, "The average survival time from diagnosis for a child with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma remains staggeringly low at just 9-12 months, and heartbreaking,gly families are forced to watch as their child loses their vital functions and abilities before their eyes. "Abbie's Army is an amazing charity that raises funds to support crucial research into this cruel disease and supports families going through this horrific, life-changing ordeal. "I'm a lucky father to my three-year-old son Arthur, and I've been following the stories of families affected by DIPG for a while. "I can't imagine the suffering such young children that are affected have to go through and the distress this causes their loved ones. "Inspired by the stories on @abbies_army's page, I decided to take on this challenge to raise money. "I've been training for it since November with lots of 28 mile plus walks in mid Wales." Mr Butler has already raised more than £2,600 for the charity.
