Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

In a new regular feature, Caerphilly Observer recognises some of our community’s individual achievements. If you want to be featured, please let us know by emailing news@caerphilly.observer

Jon McCarthy, Caerphilly

Jon McCarthy, owner of Valley Hearing Ltd on Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, has raised £3,671 for the Deaf Children’s Society, which supports children with severe hearing disabilities – especially in educational environments.

The hearing specialist raised the money by running the London Marathon in October and donating £2.50 from every wax removal carried out at Valley Hearing over the last six months. He also donated £25 for every hearing aid fitted at Valley Hearing.

Speaking before the marathon he said: “I trained as a hearing care professional at a school called Mary Hare in Newbury, which is a specialist school for children with severe hearing disabilities.

“The success of many of these students going on to become athletes, surgeons and successful business owners was inspiring.”

Michelle Jones, Caerphilly

Michelle was among 35 colleagues from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board who attended a special event celebrating study achievements of NHS workers.

The event, organised by training firm ACT, was hosted by former Welsh rugby international Jonathan Davies MBE.

Michelle overcome the urge to abandon her studies when she was redeployed from her post as a theatre worker at Ystrad Ysbyty Fawr to work on ICU at the Royal Gwent in Newport when Covid-19 hit.

Despite the challenges she and her colleagues were facing, Michelle went on to complete her Level 5 ILM Management qualification and has been instrumental in rebuilding the provision of theatre services at Ystrad Fawr post-pandemic.

Michelle, who was subsequently promoted to Theatre Manager at the Ystrad Mynach hospital and now manages a team of 35, said: “I hit rock bottom during Covid and even wrote out the email to say I would be quitting my studies before my tutor at ACT stepped in to stop me – I just didn’t know how I was going to finish my qualification.

“But they worked with me to get through it all and now, after 20 years working in surgical theatres, I have finally got to where I always wanted to be.”

WorldSkills UK National Finals

Team Wales came away with more medals that any other region in the WorldSkills UK National Finals held in November claiming the title as the top-performing region in Britain for the fourth year running.

The competition challenges learners in various sectors including constructions, engineering, technology, health, hospitality, and business.

Almost 60 young Welsh competitors were awarded medals for their vocational skills – 15 gold, 22 silver, 15 bronze and seven highly commended.

Thirty competitors from south Wales came away with medals, including five from Coleg Cymoedd in the Caerphilly area and 11 from Coleg Gwent.

Ruben Duggan from Coleg y Cymoedd’s Ystrad Mynach campus won a gold medal in the plumbing competition.

He said: “Since competing, I’ve noticed my confidence and accuracy in my day-to-work have improved so much, and I’m now able to work well under pressure. It’s great fun taking part in skills competitions, and it helps you know the true strength of your abilities when under timed conditions.

“I’m over the moon to have won a gold medal. I’m sure my dad and employer will not stop telling our customers that I competed – let alone won a gold medal.”

Text