Latest news with #HospiceoftheValleys
Wales Online
28-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Husband's beautiful gesture after wife dies just months after wedding
Husband's beautiful gesture after wife dies just months after wedding Former Marine Gavin Windham is returning to the place where the couple got married for a special event to remember lost loved-ones Jo and Gavin on their wedding day A former Royal Marine who lost his wife eight months after a terminal cancer diagnosis is returning to the park where they married to remember her. Afghanistan veteran Gavin Windham married his partner Jo in the grounds of Bedwellty House and Park in Tredegar shortly after the couple received news that Jo had secondary cancer. Jo passed away at the family home in Blaenau Gwent in November 2021 aged 40, leaving two children aged five and eight. Now the former Marine is to join hundreds of other people remembering loved ones by dedicating a daisy in honour of Jo's life at a special commemorative event at Bedwellty House on Sunday, July 13. The 40-year-old said: "In essence, Jo was the heart and soul of the family. She was the one that organised all the trips to the beach, we'd take the kids on holiday and Jo was very much just for the family. "She was completely and utterly selfless in, well, in all ways. She sacrificed any time out to spend with us and the kids." Jo and Gavin at Bedwellty House and Park The former Royal Marine, who served in Afghanistan in 2007, said following his partner's terminal diagnosis the couple were referred to the Hospice of the Valleys organisation, and he said at first did not really understand the work the charity did but soon came to appreciate the support and practical help it gave the family as they adjusted to their new situation. Article continues below He said: "To have the ability to have someone available on the phone 24/7, for me in particular, to know that I was able to support Jo in any and every way that she needed. I knew there was someone available for me to speak to as a sounding board. I didn't need to burden Jo with my thoughts and burden her with my worries, I had the hospice for that." He added: "No one, certainly in the younger generation, no one thinks this will happen to them. I didn't. Everyone plans for the future. Everyone plans for mortgages and kids and houses and holidays. For the nice things that come. It can happen to you. You don't plan for it. You don't think it will be you. So I think, you know, fundraising and supporting Hospice of the Valleys - it's a must have." Jo and Gavin getting married Over the weekend of Friday, July, 11 to Sunday, July 13., Hospice of the Valleys is inviting people to dedicate a daisy to honour the life of a loved one and join their "Forever in Bloom" flower display at Bedwellty House. On the Sunday there will be a free family-friendly day of celebration and remembrance, including family activities from 11am, and a commemorative event with live music and entertainment which will start at 1pm in the bandstand. Sarah Harries, head of clinical services at Hospice of the Valleys, said: "Moments where we can come together as a community and celebrate our loved ones is so important. Not only to keep their memories alive, but to see the community around us, who are there to support us, during those really difficult times. Like many Hospices, we rely on the support of local people. We've been here, supporting the Blaenau Gwent community for nearly 40 years, and events like Forever in Bloom ensures that our vital work can continue. 'We'd like to say thank you to everyone who has already supported us, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our Forever in Bloom celebration." Article continues below To purchase a daisy visit Hospice of the Valleys
South Wales Argus
12-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Nick Smith MP on treatment of veterans and government plans
I was pleased to see so many fantastic events taking place right across Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney, including a powerful and poignant lighting of the beacon event I attended at the Aneurin Bevan Stones in Tredegar. This ceremony was one of a series that saw more than a thousand beacons being lit simultaneously across the whole UK on Thursday night. These events offered a chance to reflect on all those who have served, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, to reinforce the lessons of the Second World War and to remind ourselves how important the Armed Forces are to our country. Our Labour Government further demonstrated our commitment to supporting our veterans and our Armed Forces Community this week through the announcement of our new VALOUR project. We have 3,052 veterans in Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney and I know that many will be unhappy with the way they have been ignored and disrespected over the last 14 years. The way veterans have been treated is extremely poor and that must change. Through £50m of funding, our aim is to have VALOUR-recognised support centres in every part of the UK, working with health, employment and housing charities as well as service providers and local government to provide tailored local support for veterans. New Regional Field Officers will work with these organisations to share best practice and guidance. This represents a major milestone in delivering our manifesto promise to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant. Our veterans served with valour and now our VALOUR support network will help ensure we repay them. Last month saw another very successful outing of our Everyone Deserves an Easter campaign. Alongside Gerald Jones MP, I helped put together this project which saw 75 hampers containing all the ingredients for a roast dinner, as well as Easter treats, delivered to families across Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney, including 10 delivered to the Hospice of the Valleys. This project wouldn't be possible without the help of the Ebbw Vale Institute pantry team, the Caerphilly Cares team and the volunteers who came to help pack on the day. Thank you to everyone who lent a hand. Nick Smith is MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.
