'It's the sad look in their eyes that motivates me'

By cperegrine

V

AL Newton has never been one to just sit around and wait for things to happen.

At 68 she can look back on a half century of competition in rallying — her current preferred mode of transport in that regard being a 1978 Lomax 600cc three wheeler.

She still lines up at eight or nine events a year in Wales and Ireland to prove she is a lady in motion.

But as much as she loves climbing aboard for the next race, what really keeps her on the move is a passion to help those a whole lot less fortunate than herself.

She identified this special cause after watching a Challenge Anneka TV programme in 1991 in which a Romanian orphanage was rebuilt. The show fronted by action woman Anneka Rice certainly left its mark.

Val and her late husband Bill got talking and thinking — and Wales Romanian Aid was born. And what an impact it has had in that country and in four other nations in Eastern Europe.

The charity she runs has built 110 homes in the intervening years and next month she will embark on her 108th mission, this time taking in Romania, Kosovo and Moldova. But those stark figures, largely made possible by fundraising efforts throughout South West Wales, do not tell half the story. It is one of hope for the future for many.

Val masterminds it all from her home near Cross Hands and shows no sign of slowing down.

"I am able to do it and I do it," she said in a matter-of-fact way.

What she does, with her team of helpers, is to address the needs of youngsters and families in Romania, Moldova, Kosovo, Bosnia and Croatia. Homes have been built and electricity, running water and heating have been provided to households. Holidays have been laid on and university education has been made possible for members of the next generation who will help shape their country.

"I have got a great team who work for me," said Val. "It is something I can't stop. It's going so well and I feel absolutely fresh."

What motivates her to plough on?

"The sad look in the eyes of youngsters, and elderly people," she said. "They have got no food, no jobs, no pensions. They have lost members of their family. I see this and do something about it because I can."

Val's office at home has, until recently, operated without the use of a computer and she is no fan of the mobile phone.

"I write letters, write my newsletters and am on the phone a lot," she said. "I just do it in my own way and it gets done."

She tells anyone prepared to listen about the plight of the people she wants to help and uses church contacts in Ireland to boost the funds coming in through a variety of avenues closer to home.

"I am so grateful to everyone who has raised money and to the Evening Post and Carmarthen Journal for publicising the charity's work," said Val. "People will never know the joy they bring to these children.

"We can make a difference and we do make a difference to these families."

Education is one way and Val is proud that 14 students are now going through university as a result of the charity's funding. That figure takes the number beyond 50 over the years. Their future and that of their country is being invested in.

"They train to be doctors, dentists, engineers, teachers," she said. "They have got to achieve something to be funded. It has got to be good for their own country. It is all about helping your own country."

And the importance of Wales Romanian Aid to the Eastern European countries in question means she is far happier taking about it than her rallying hobby.

Her charitable efforts have rightly not gone unnoticed.

She had a knee operation carried out for free at a private hospital because the surgeon wanted her to continue her sterling work. And an MBE for her and Bill in 1997 — 'Thank God it came before he died,' — illustrated the importance of WRA.

There is no slacking. Val goes where she needs to around six times a year. It means around nine weeks on the road, the last time was in August when she oversaw a holiday for Kosovan children. Now she is planning the next one.

Val has now launched her latest Harvest Festival Appeal for pasta to take out to hungry families. Last year she was able to send out a 19 ton consignment, helped by the efforts of schools. She wants to do at least as well this time around. To give to the appeal, call her on 01269 843345 or contact her at Tycroes, Maesybont, Cross Hands, Llanelli, SA14 7HD.