Communities unite to show support for April Jones

HUNDREDS of well-wishers turned out at events across Dyfed-Powys last night to show their sympathy — and solidarity — with the family of missing five-year-old April Jones.

People gathered in Kidwelly town square at 7pm last night, marking the moment exactly a week ago when she was last seen in her home town of Machynlleth in Powys, to light candles and say prayers for the youngster, led by the Rev Roger Morley-Jones.

The gathering started an hour earlier, with organisers hosting a raffle and cake stalls, while pink ribbons were also on sale to raise money for the April Jones trust fund.

Ali Williams, 28, from Hillfield Villas, who organised the event, said: "I'm a mother of two myself, and one of the girls has just turned five.

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"You see things happening all over the world but this is so close to home. I look at my little girl and can't begin to imagine what it would be like.

"I have been watching Sky News 24 hours a day just hoping and praying that she will be brought home.

"You can never give up and I just hope that something really bad hasn't happened.

"We decided to do something like this as it is a week after she went missing, and we weren't expecting that many would come, but the community has all come together, and shown how much they care.

"We have been inundated with donations for the fund, it is really touching."

And in Llanelli, 200 pink balloons were released at North Dock, with messages to April tied on with ribbon.

Mums Sarah Jenkins, 36, and Rhian Daly, 33, both parents of five-year-olds at Pentip School, organised the release.

Sarah, who lives in Gelli Road, said: "Our children are five — the same age as April.

"We wanted to show support for the family. No one had done a balloon release and we thought April would like the pink balloons if the poor thing could see them."

Sarah said the balloons had been donated free of charge by Asda, Wilkinsons and CJs in the market, with ribbon donated by Bizzie Fingers and collection buckets handed over by Home Bargains.

Sarah said it was a good opportunity for people who could not help the search efforts to show their support.

"We don't know the area, it's so rugged," she said. "But we feel so sorry for her and her family."

A charity night has also been organised in Swansea to raise money for the April Jones trust fund.

All Stars Entertainments has organised the evening at the Cwmfelin Social Club in Manselton on Wednesday, October 17.

The night will feature seven headlining acts in total as well as bingo, a raffle and an auction.

Comedians Just Debs and Lenny Dee will be joined by singers Richard T James, Leights Phillips, Chantelle Pinki, Tanya Taylor and trio De-Silver.

Entry costs £3 on the door and the event starts at 7pm.

The club is already accepting donations for the fund.