The first Bluestone Foundation Community Event has been announced as part of a series of such events that will help local charities and organisations raise more than £15,000 annually at the Blue Lagoon Water Park, near Narberth.

Get The Boys A Lift is the first group to be selected to host an event at the water park on 13th February 2024 which will see more than 600 tickets offered exclusively to the local community

Seventy-five per cent of the ticket sales will go directly to the not-for-profit organisation that provides a free, award winning, mental health support service to people in West Wales, with the remaining 25 per cent going to the Bluestone Foundation for distribution to local good causes through the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVs).

A series of community events staged at the water park were announced by the Bluestone Foundation in October following an operational review of the Blue Lagoon that was undertaken by Bluestone National Park Resort, reviewing ways of opening the venue to local residents as well as guests staying at the resort.

The Bluestone Foundation was launched in 2010 and has distributed over £250,000 in grants across Pembrokeshire. The Foundation strives to help people help themselves and to principally assist projects falling into economic, social, and environmental categories.

It has already helped a wide range of community groups and charities, providing often important financial support to help projects involving young people and others throughout the area.

“We’re pleased to announce the first ever Bluestone Foundation Community Event will be in aid of Get the Boys A Lift. GTBAL provides often vital counselling and mental health support to people of all ages throughout West Wales,” said Marten Lewis of the Bluestone Foundation.

“In addition, local community members will be able to purchase tickets for this and future community events to enjoy the Blue Lagoon waterpark while helping much raise much needed funding for such charities and community groups in the area.”

GTBAL has helped more than 360 people in West Wales with a range of counselling and other help.

It raises most of its money through selling coffee and t-shirts and through other fundraising events.

The money raised at the Bluestone Foundation Community Event will create additional opportunities for the group to support young men in the area.

The event will take place on 13th February between 6.30 and 9 pm, offering ticket holders the chance to experience all the water park's facilities and features.

More community events will be announced in the coming months. The events are just one part of the support the Bluestone Foundation is providing to the local community. A wide range of projects have been supported since 2010.

One recent project was Fit and Fed. A Sport Pembrokeshire initiative, which is helping children in disadvantaged areas to access nourishment and take part in a variety of sports, and it is hoped that this can be expanded into more school holidays and even 52 weeks a year.

Over the course of this time, the project has supported children in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and Fishguard.

Spearheaded by Matthew Freeman, Sport Pembrokeshire manager, the initiative has not only provided essential sustenance to children but also enabled them to participate in sports activities through local clubs and groups.

Matthew said: “The success of the 'Fit and Fed' project has been truly amazing. We've witnessed children benefiting not just from nutritious meals but also from the chance to engage in physical activities.

“We aim to expand this initiative to all school holidays, including Christmas, ensuring year-round support for these deserving children.”

For more information about the community events at the Blue Lagoon water park, visit https://www.bluestonewales.com/bluestone-foundation