One of the four charities the National Children of Wales Awards is supporting is the Bluestone Foundation.

The foundation was established to help people help themselves through environmental, economic and social projects in Pembrokeshire.

Its plan is to provide economic growth and social opportunities to the people of west Wales through projects funded by the money the foundation raises. The foundation’s aim is to support as many projects as possible. One of the projects the Bluestone Foundation has funded is The Fishguard Sea Cadet Unit. The Unit was founded in 1942, with its Headquarters in West Street, Fishguard. Since then, the Fishguard Cadets have expanded, both in terms of membership as well as in terms of experiences offered.

They offer exciting activities such as sailing, windsurfing, powerboating, rock climbing, camping, and music. Additionally, those who become a Cadet at Fishguard are able to take with them a wide range of qualifications once they leave.

Recently, the Fishguard Cadets applied to the Bluestone Foundation for support to purchase an additional Yole boat for the team. These boats allow Cadets to experience the sport of sliding seat rowing, and a new one would expand the organisation’s ability to let more young people try this.

Thanks to the £2000 donation from the Bluestone Foundation, the Fishguard Cadets were able to fulfil this dream.

Another project the Bluestone Foundation supports is the Patch, an organisation which gives free food parcels, clothing and household items to those in financial crisis in Pembrokeshire. The Bluestone Foundation awarded a grant to Patch in 2017 as part of the Bluestone Foundation Community Fund, so they could purchase a chilled vehicle to collect and deliver donations of fresh food around the county.

Pamela McNamara, founder of the Bluestone Foundation and Bluestone’s commercial director, said:

“The Bluestone Foundation was set up in 2010 to support economic, social and environmental projects in Pembrokeshire. Bluestone has, through direct economic benefits, contributed over £142M into the Pembrokeshire economy since opening in 2008 through its employees and supply chain and was the first hospitality business to set up an Employee Benefit Trust giving 30% of the business to its staff.

“Environmentally Bluestone has led the hospitality sector in the innovative application of renewable fuels, our Blue Lagoon Water Park is believed to be the first facility of its kind in the world to be heated using biomass, sustainably sourced from local farms.

“The heart of the Foundation lies in creating a better environment for children growing up in Pembrokeshire and Wales. It is about identifying, developing and implementing, innovative social projects to bring about a tangible and sustainable change to the lives of many. We are grateful to be able to support the National Children Awards of Wales and very proud of the many people who have made this happen.”