01/12/09 - Christmas Sparkle

Win a share of £5,000 to help those in need of some cash sparkle this Christmas

WE have £5,000 to give away to YOU. Just tell us why your community group deserves the chance to Sparkle this Christmas to win a share of the s5,000 Echo Christmas Sparklers treasure trove

CARDIFF Round Table has teamed up with the Echo to offer a very special gift this Christmas a bumper share of the proceeds from this years Sparks in the Park firework display.

From today we have s5,000 to give away to community groups and individuals in need.

Are you a sports or school club lacking vital equipment? A social group in need of transport?

It could be a church, day centre, guide group or youth club were looking for groups of all shapes and sizes to get in touch.

Do you know an individual who would benefit from our help?

If somebody needs help with their own charity fundraising or even a day away for a carer, we might be able to help with a slice of the £5,000 gift.

Cardiff Round Tables community service liaison officer Andrew Ashton said: This is a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the community we want to help as many people as possible with the money raised by this years Sparks in the Park.

In past years we have helped hundreds of projects and although the individual sums were small, they helped to make a significant difference to peoples lives.

These are the small projects which usually go ignored, and hopefully we can make a big difference again.

He added: We are looking for groups which might not usually think to apply to us for help.

It could be a scout group that could use a new tent, a football team that needs new kit or someone with an illness who needs our help.

Let us know what you need and how much you need for it and we promise to consider every application.

Applying couldnt be easier just fill out the form, which you can download and print at the base of this article and tell us why you would like a share of the £5,000.

The applications will be judged by Cardiff Round Table and must be received by December 24.

Send your entries to Christmas Sparklers, Clare Hutchinson, Media Wales, 6 Park Street, Cardiff CF10 1XR.

09/11/09 - Round table charity and bluebirds grant cardiff girl’s wish

Local girl and massive Cardiff City fan Rachel Wembridge, 16, had her wish granted on 27th October when she got to watch a Bluebirds training session- from the comfort of the City Stadium dugout! She also got to meet the players and manager Dave Jones.

Rachel Wembridge, age 16, was referred to charity Round Table Children’s Wish by the Children's Hospital for Wales. She was diagnosed with severe Thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder, in 2004. Patients with this condition have too few platelets in their blood, which cause it not to clot. This in turn means that even minor injuries can be life threatening. Rachel also has two holes in the heart and poor lung function, and is currently awaiting a Bone Marrow Transplant.

RTCW is a charity founded by social networking and charitable organisation Round Table. The mission of RTCW is to make wishes come true for children with life threatening illnesses. In granting these very special wishes, each family will then be able to enjoy a very special moment in time and enable them to have some wonderful memories for whatever the future may hold.

Two members of local branch Cardiff Round Table, chairman Dean White and press officer Trevor Durham, took time out of preparations for Sparks in the Park (not to mention their day jobs) to escort Rachel and her dad, Joe, to the City stadium.

The Bluebirds were also kind enough to give Rachel a free Bluebirds replica shirt, and free tickets for the match with Nottingham Forest a few days later.

Trevor Durham, Cardiff Round Table’s Press Officer, said “One of the main things that Round Table is about is doing good for and giving something back to the community. We are delighted to have been with Rachel as she was meeting the Bluebirds and hope that this happy memory sticks with her for a long time. Our thanks go to Cardiff City for all their efforts. It is also nice to be able to show, for the benefit of the many thousands who attended Sparks in the Park the other week, just one of the many good causes we support.”

Cathy White, wish co-ordinator from Round Table Children’s Wish, said “”

Tracey Shepherd from Cardiff City FC said “we were very happy to help grant Rachel’s wish. Rachel was an inspiration to everyone at Cardiff City FC. We hope that we will be happy to help Round Table Children’s Wish again in the future”

30/10/09 - Sparks in the Park Artwork Competition

In the run-up to this year’s Sparks in the Park fireworks extravaganza being staged tomorrow night, children across the capital were asked to submit their own artist’s impressions of the event.

The competition was divided into three categories – nursery and infants, juniors and secondary – and the participants were given a theme of either Bonfire Night, Hallowe’en, King Arthur or Round Table.

And the winning artists – Dyfan Lloyd Owen, six, of Creigiau Primary School, Dafydd Hughes, nine, of Ysgol Y Wern, Llanishen, and Harley-Leigh Ansell, 13, of Whitchurch High – all won £200 towards new school equipment as well as a family ticket and the promise of VIP treatment and a goody bag at Saturday’s spectacular.

The schoolchildren were handed their prizes by Education Minister Jane Hutt at a presentation held this week in the Senedd.

11/08/09 - Famous fundraiser brings life-size t-rex to Cardiff

If you saw a life-size tyrannosaurus rex going down the street last Tuesday, you aweren't going crazy! Renowned charity fundraiser, Lloyd Scott (assisted by members of Cardiff Round table) was on Cardiff’s Working Street as part of his most ambitious fundraising challenge yet.

Lloyd has embarked on a Lands End to John O’Groats trek in aid of the charity, Teenage Cancer Trust, along with a very special walking companion - a life-size tyrannosaurus rex. By the time he reached Cardiff lastTuesday, he will have completed 262 miles of his 1,000 mile journey.

The people of Cardiff kindly donated £1000. To find more visit www.trextreks.com to find out when Lloyd will be visiting a town near you. 

27/04/09 - PRESS RELEASE- 27th April 2009

CARDIFF ROUND TABLE ENTERS HISTORIC 80TH YEAR

Cardiff Round Table begun its 80th year this month with its Annual General Meeting and the election of a new committee, headed by new chairman, Dean White. It will be a very busy year. Along with the usual program of social and sporting events, the following events are due to take place:

- The IUC (International Union of Clubs), an event bringing together Round Table members from all over Europe, is coming to Cardiff for the first time in 10 years

- Cardiff Fireworks- traditional city centre event in Bute Park, organised for over 30 years by Cardiff Round Table

- Santa’s sleigh- Cardiff Round Table traditionally bring Santa to the streets of Cardiff every December

- Cyw Gwpan- mystery event organised by the Table’s newest members

- The year will culminate in March with the 80th Charter- celebrating the anniversary of one of Wales’ oldest Round Tables.

Alongside all the above, the table plans to continue supporting charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally. Last year, among other causes, Cardiff Round Table made donations to Finley's Fund, Foundation housing, Tai-hafan, Latch, the Association of Childrens Hospitals and, through the National Association, the Air Ambulance Service.

Dean, 44, said “This coming year promises to be an extremely busy one which will see us hosting our European tabling friends for a weekend at the beginning of July for IUC, and also our 80th Charter night in February 2010. We will also continue to do what we do best which is have fun and raise money for charitable causes. We will also be actively looking to increase our membership and raise awareness of our fantastic organisation.”

One of the true stalwarts of Cardiff Round Table is current President Mike Tully. Mike said “After 18 years taking part in Round Table in Cardiff, it is a great honour to be asked back to be Honorary President for this our 80th year, which will be celebrated with a large number of fellow members from within the UK and Internationally. Round Table has been involved in a lot of events during the period of its history and donated large amounts of money to worthy causes”.
—-NOTES FOR EDITORS---
• Round Table is a National and International organisation, originally founded in the 1920s to develop the acquaintance of young men through the medium of their various occupations.
• Round Table Britain and Ireland was founded in 1927; Cardiff Round Table (one of many in towns and cities across the UK) was one of the first tables established, in 1929.
• Cardiff Round Table has one of the highest memberships of UK Tables, and is noted for the work done for various local charities over the years
• More information is available from Press and Media Secretary Trevor Durham on 07956 911871, or Chairman Dean White on 07970 470478.
• There is also a website for Cardiff Round Table, www.cardiffroundtable.org, and another for Round Table Britain and Ireland, www.roundtable.co.uk.