A driving instructor from Redruth walked 155 miles across Wales to raise awareness of a rare congenital condition.
James Hankins, of Drive Cornwall, trekked from Colwyn Bay to Cardiff Bay in support of TOFS, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, a charity supporting babies born unable to swallow.
Last year The West Briton reported on Codi Collick, from Pool, who was born prematurely with digestive problems.
He was later diagnosed with tracheo-oesophageal fistula.
Mr Hankins said: "I met Vikki (Codi's mum), when I taught her to drive and then became friends.
"As I've always been an active person and have done numerous walks for charity, I decided to dedicate my next challenge to raising money and awareness for TOFS.",
Mr Hankins walked solo, averaging about 30 miles a day, in all weathers, including snow.
He admitted: "Towards the end though I slowed down a lot. My legs, my knees and my feet were very painful."
Codi, who is now 16-months-old, is still unable to eat, and undergoes regular treatment.
His mum said: "He's still not good. He needs another major operation in June.
"He's such a brave little soldier. He's always smiling."
So far Mr Hankins has raised £125 for the charity. He hopes to get to £150.
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/waleschallenge.

Cornish Pirates head coach Ian Davies has made two changes to his starting line-up ahead of Saturday`s RFU Championship game against Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane (3pm), writes Dick Straughan.

On the wing Ben Mercer is recalled in place of Ashley Smith who registered his first two tries for the Cornish side last time out against Moseley, and there is one change in the back row where Bath loanee James Tyas replaces the injured Phil Burgess.

Tom Duncan is recalled from Redruth to take the place of Tyas on the replacement bench, with Junior Fatialofa in for Wes Davies after recovering from a viral infection.

Gavin Cattle will lead the Pirates on a ground where they haven`t lost for two years, but replacement scrum-half Chris Cook could well make his debut from the bench during the game after missing out a fortnight ago.

The Titans, meanwhile, have made four changes to the starting 15 that ran out 25-19 winners over local rivals Doncaster Knights at Castle Park last time out.
Due to injuries within the Titans squad at hooker, Alistair Thomson has been drafted in from local rivals Doncaster Knights and gets a spot on the bench.

In the backline Lee Blackett and Joel Gill form a new centre partnership, meaning former Cornish All Black centre Pale Nonu and Eamonn Sheridan form part of a formidable bench. In the pack, Joe Ellyatt and Toby Freeman return to the side in the back row as Latu Makaafi and Carl Kirwan suffer with minor injuries.

Titans Head Coach Alex Codling said: "We know there's no easy game in the Championship and particularly no game against Cornish Pirates ever is.

"We haven't beaten the Pirates in our last seven attempts, so we know we are in for a tough afternoon's work. Down there earlier in the season they gave us a bit of a beating and we know we're going to have to be on the money if we are going to get a result on Saturday.

"However, we've started to play some open, attractive rugby in the last few weeks and weather depending on Saturday that will be our aim again. If the weather's not ideal then we'll need to ensure that we don't do anything silly in our own half."

He added: "In tough conditions it's about field position, you can still play the type of rugby you want to, you just need to make sure it's in the right areas of the field and I believe if we get that right we have a great opportunity to turn the Pirates over."

Rotherham Titans: Garry Law (capt), Mike Doneghan, Joel Gill, Lee Blackett, Curtis Wilson, James McKinney, Charlie Mulchrone, Marshall Gadd, Ted Stagg, Gareth Denman, Ben Thomas, Dan Sanderson, Alex Rieder, Joe Ellyatt, Toby Freeman. Replacements: Alistair Thomson, Jamie Kilbane, Ross Davies, Pale Nonu, Laurence Pearce, Eamonn Sheridan, Jimmy Williams.

Cornish Pirates: Pointer, Mercer, Riley, Bedford, Evans, Penberthy, Cattle (capt); Storer, Tanner, Joyce, Lyons, Johnson, Tyas, Cheesman, Marriott
Replacements: Prescott, Elloway, Barry, Duncan, Cook, Hallett, Fatialofa.

Referee: S Harding (RFU).

A FOOD bank has launched an urgent appeal for help after unprecedented numbers of people struggling to make ends meet turned to it for aid.
The Camborne, Pool and Redruth Food Bank is pleading for help to stock up its shelves after it ran out of food earlier this week.
The charity, which has supplied about 18,000 meals in January and February alone, had to purchase food from a supermarket to meet demand.
Organiser Don Gardner explained: "On Tuesday we ran out of food, we simply did not have enough stock to help everyone.

"We eventually managed to feed everyone but that was only after buying more food from a supermarket.

"Currently we have only got food for up to 12 families so we will have to go and buy more with the little money we have got.

"Earlier today we helped a man with four children who has no food in his house.

"Some people can only afford to eat every other day to make sure their children can eat every day.

"Urgent supplies are needed, last week 1,800 meals were distributed from the Camborne distribution centre alone."
The food bank is particularly short of tins of meat, ready meals in tins and pasta sauces.
Anybody able to help is asked to contact Mr Gardner on 01209 714592.

THE Cornish Pirates RFU Championship fixture at Rotherham Titans, scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed due to heavy snowfall in the area.

A short statement posted on the Yorkshire club's official website said: "The match has been re-scheduled for the following day, Sunday 24th March 2013, with a 2pm kick-off.

There will be a Saturday morning pitch inspection (9am) and Rotherham Rugby Club will make a further announcement following the inspection on its website."

An area of scrub land around St Gluvias Church Hall in Penryn is set to be transformed into a green space to enjoy.

Olive Branch Community, which runs a weekly cafe in the town, is behind the project.

On Monday it is holding the first gardening work day from 10am for anyone who wishes to get involved.

In the long run the plan is develop some of the land as a community food growing space and may even include turning the old sub station into a recreational area.

A spokesman for the project said:"Even if you can't get involved in the physical digging, you might want to grow seeds to plant up or if you have any ideas."

Anyone attending on Monday is asked to take along any equipment they can, such as gloves or tools, spades, secators, although some tools will be provided.

HEAVY rain forced organisers to postpone Coose Trannack cross country races after the site became waterlogged. It meant disappointment for hundreds of school children who had signed up to run at tomorrow's event near Helston.

Paul Wiltshire, who helped organise the event said "exceptional wet weather" meant its school field and farm field were no longer suitable to park cars. He said: "It is a terrible shame as the actual weather tomorrow for the race day is looking good. We are hopeful that we will be able to re-arrange for some time in the Summer term. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused."

POLICE are auctioning designer shoes and jewellery bought by a former Truro secretary claiming to be a multi-millionairess.Devon and Cornwall Police are using the Bumblebee auction to sell expensive goods seized as part of a confiscation order.
 
The items for sale include designer shoes by Jimmy Choo, Prada, Russell and Bromley, Lulu Guinness purses and jewellery from names such as Gucci, Harrods, and Tiffany & Co.They were seized along with a number of other goods as part of an investigation into Helen Hart, 46,  from Illogan, who was jailed at Truro Crown Court on 1 March.

She was sentenced to four years in jail after admitting 25 counts of theft and fraud. Hart conned more than £300,000 from her bosses, PDP Green Consultants Ltd in Truro,  using stolen cheque books to fund her lavish lifestyle.

She fleeced company accounts to pay for a private jet to whisk her off to Paris, expensive cars, Premiership football tickets, rent and bills.A spokesman from Devon and Cornwall Police financial investigation unit at Truro said: "Confiscation of assets is part of the sentencing process.
 
"Helen Hart lived an affluent lifestyle which included buying expensive items for her personal use. She should not be allowed to benefit from the proceeds of her crimes and this process helps that be the case.
 
"We work hard to ensure that the proceeds of crime are taken from criminals. Legislation means in certain cases we can go back 6 years to calculate what a person has earned from their illegal lifestyle."
 
Since April last year the unit has confiscated in excess of £350,000 in Cornwall. Other criminals have been forced to sell the family home, car, or investments to satisfy a confiscation order as the alternative is a term inside prison which does not wipe out the payment requirement.
 
"We are proud that the confiscation amount either goes to the victim or if there is no victim then a proportion of the confiscation money goes back into the local community. We strive to ensure that crime does not pay".
 
Items will be available from Monday 25 March 2013 via the Bumblebee website, http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAuctionPro.asp

BEN SKINNER AND OLI ADAMS - IRELAND FEELS SO RIGHT.. from Skindog Surfboards on Vimeo.

More than 100 young dancers, 200 sumptuous costumes, months of rehearsals and countless blister plasters have gone into creating a new production of Swan Lake.

Duchy Ballet's team of dressmakers completed no less than 40 swan and cygnet outfits in time for yesterday's opening show. Ballerinas – led by principal dancers Phillip Velinov and Natalia Ashikhmina from Louisville Ballet in Kentucky – have been rehearsing for the Hall for Cornwall shows since December.

Artistic director Kay Jones, who plays the Queen Mother, said: "The preparations have gone really well and everyone is very excited about the performances.

"The dancers worked extremely hard in rehearsals and were very excited about working with our principal dancers.

"The team behind the scenes has done an incredible job with the costumes, lighting and set. As well as 40 swan and cygnet costumes, the designs for the big waltz have all been lovingly created and are a feast for the eye on stage."

Asked how much material, cotton and sequins had been used, Kay said: "We're unable to give a definitive answer – all we know is it's a lot. The dancers have also used hundreds of plasters on their toes."

Duchy Ballet's Swan Lake continues at the Hall for Cornwall with two shows today at 2pm and 7.30pm. To book tickets, visit www.hallforcornwall. co.uk or call the box office on 01872 262466.

Registration is now open for the 2013 Corporate Cornwall Beach Games set for May 17.

Up to 30 teams from businesses across the region will compete with colleagues and friends in the annual bare-footed games taking place at Tolcarne beach in Newquay. Last year the light-hearted competition had volleyball, beach football, surf rescue, handball, tug of war and sandcastle building.

"Cornwall Beach Games are the perfect way to have fun in the outdoors with your workmates on one of Cornwall's beautiful beaches. Three hundred people on the beach having fun creates a great buzz for everyone involved," said Mike Thomas, director of Cornwall Sports Partnership.

Teams from Cornish businesses can still sign up for £80 but places are limited. The deadline is April 26 for the event organised by Cornwall Sports Partnership, the NHS Healthy Workplace Programme and Cornwall College.

Mike added: "My advice is to sign up now and we look forward to seeing you on the beach in May!"

For more information you can contact either Bruce Lockie or Lisa Robins on 01872 323344 or email info@cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk.

Soldiers from a Westcountry-based regiment are among the country's first reservists to wear a revolutionary new uniform.

The new camouflage clothing issued to members of the Bodmin-based 155 Transport Regiment, means the Territorial Army, for the first time, will dress in exactly the same kit as their regular counterparts.

"It has made a huge difference," said Lieutenant Colonel Pete Lewis, commanding officer of the unit. "It underlines the commitment of the Government to establishing the 'one army' concept.

"And it is not the only change. Recently, we have been attached directly to the Regular Army's 101 Logistics Brigade in Aldershot.

"We have taken delivery of new vehicles – again, exactly the same as our regular cousins – and will shortly have a new weapons system."

The transport regiment, part of the Royal Logistics Corps, is based at Bodmin and has a squadron at Derriford in Plymouth.

It was established in 2008, resurrecting the name of 155 (Wessex) Transport Regiment and specialises in delivering combat supplies, including fuel, ammunition, rations and water.

The second round of a pioneering collective energy-buying initiative has saved members an average of £112 on their annual fuel bills, with some customers seeing cuts of up to £715.

Cornwall Together saw a further 1,174 households switch their provider through the scheme, bringing the total to 2,326. People who switched in the second round saved nearly £132,000, making the savings for the people of Cornwall across both rounds £285,000.

CT programme manager Matt Hastings said: "We have completed our next step on the road to putting the power back in the hands of communities and have saved Cornish households hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process.

"Now the big question is how can we apply this group-buying philosophy to other areas of our lives and start to completely re-model the relationship between people and companies."

As a result of Cornwall Together's success, three more regional projects have now been set up around the country, under the banner of UK Together. The sister projects are based in Birmingham and Solihull, Exeter and Scotland.

CT supporter Matthew Taylor, Lord Taylor of Goss Moor, said that with more than a thousand more Cornish switchers, households had saved another £100,000 from the energy companies. He said that in the coming weeks, the results of an in-depth research project examining attitudes to energy will be released.

"These savings prove the power of collective buying," said Lord Taylor. "But the research should also tell us how to encourage many more people to get together in this way so they can save too."

Conceived by the Eden Project, Cornwall Together was developed by Eden, Cornwall Council, the NHS and Community Energy Plus, aiming to bring people together to reduce fuel poverty, encourage sustainability and community resilience. They were joined by Cornwall-based energy platform, energyshare, and uSwitch, the independent price comparison and switching service.

Steve Ford, Green Cornwall programme manager at Cornwall Council, said: "I am pleased that so many households have once again chosen to switch their energy supplier to get a better deal.

"Cornwall Together is leading the way in creating a step change in the way Cornish residents think about their energy, and I hope that the combined savings from this switching round will prove to others that switching makes sense and we can have more control over our energy bills. It is yet another example of Cornwall leading the way when it comes to transforming the way we interact with energy."

Anyone who would like to register interest in being involved in future rounds of Cornwall Together can visit www.cornwalltogether.com or call 0800 772 0925.

Ambulance crews are being pushed to "breaking point" following an unprecedented surge in 999 calls.

Almost 1,000 additional emergency calls were made in Devon and Cornwall over a two-week period this month compared with the same time last year.

Crews dealt with 10,134 emergency incidents between March 4 and 17 – a similar level of demand to New Year – compared with 9,148 calls last year.

"It's been like a New Year's Eve every day of the week," said John Oliver of the South Western Ambulance Service Trust (SWAST).

The SWAST blamed the 11% rise in call volumes across the region on the cold weather.

It urged people across the South West to consider other ways of getting health care rather than dialling 999 in the first instance.

But the union Unison claimed the rise was partly because out-of-hours calls were being diverted to the 999 emergency number.

It said ambulance crews had been "run ragged" by a combination of factors including inadequate staff provision.

Simon Newell, Unison South West regional organiser, said: "Resources are being stretched to breaking point. Ambulance crews have been busier every weekend so far in March than they are during the seven busiest hours of the year on New Year's Eve."

He added: "Lives are being put at risk because inexperienced and inadequately trained staff are dispatching more ambulances than are needed and sending them to the wrong places."

Earlier this month Plymouth's Derriford Hospital was on "black" alert, meaning it was under extreme pressure and the Royal Cornwall Hospital's major incident plan was put into action.

The ambulance trust has urged people to only call 999 in "real emergencies". Norma Lane, SWAST director of delivery, said weekends were currently proving "particularly busy."

Mr Oliver added: "Much of it is due to the cold weather which exacerbates respiratory and chest problems for patients with existing medical conditions."

"It's definitely putting a strain on resources. People are working overtime and taking on extra paid shifts. Our priority is to get the right help to the people who need it the most. But we are undoubtedly under pressure.

"There has been short-term dip in the speed of dealing with emergency calls due to finite resources. We're trying to minimise that dip in performance and offer as good a service as possible."

Unions fear ambulance crews will be put under more pressure once a new NHS 111 number for patients with urgent but not life-threatening symptoms is introduced.

The system has been delayed in Devon and Cornwall until May and June respectively, even though it is already being used in other parts of the South West.