Molly Venables is a 10 year old pupil at St Oswalds Primary School in Jeffreyston who in February last year decided to raise money for HOPE, the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Neyland.

HOPE is a charity that provides accessible and affordable therapies to those affected by multiple sclerosis and they also make their services available to those with other life-long neurological conditions including Stroke and Parkinsons.

Molly’s grandmother suffers with multiple sclerosis and is one of many who has benefited from the therapies provided by the centre over a number of years.

Molly wanted to not only raise much needed funds for the centre in appreciation for their help to her grandmother but she also wanted to do something that would benefit the environment and local communities.

She decided to set herself the ambitious goal of undertaking 50 litter picks before her 10th birthday in November.

She sought sponsorship and financial support for “Molly’s Marvellous Garbage Grab”.

For several months, armed with a high viz jacket, litter picker, hoops and bags especially supplied by Pembrokeshire County Council, Molly picked litter in Sageston, Carew, Jeffreyston, Milton, Lawrenny, New Hedges, Kilgetty, Amroth, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Pembroke Dock and St Clears.

On many occasions she was helped by her older brother Charlie. At all stages Molly was accompanied by a responsible adult ensuring that the litter picks were conducted in a safe manner.

Molly was able to achieve her goal of undertaking 50 picks by the time of her 10th birthday.

In addition, Molly and Charlie raised further funds through undertaking the 2023 New Years Day swim at Saundersfoot.

Through the generous sponsorship of many people Molly has been able to raise the grand sum of £1000 for the HOPE Centre.

Molly would like to thank everyone who has supported her and for those who sponsored her efforts. She would also like to thank Pembrokeshire County Council for their support. She hopes that her achievement will raise awareness of the work undertaken by HOPE and of the importance of caring for our local environment for the benefit of everyone.

Molly is pictured handing over a cheque for the sum of £1,000 to Mr John Parry in the presence of her grandmother, HOPE trustees and staff, Mrs Margaret Brace, Mrs Maureen Parry, Mr Simon Wright and Mr Dave Griffiths.

Mrs Brace, on behalf of HOPE, offered her congratulations and expressed her gratitude to Molly on her wonderful achievement and for her initiative and efforts in raising funds for the centre. She said that the HOPE centre was proud to accept the cheque which will be put to use for the benefit of all users of the therapy centre.