Pumpkins, lorry-pulls and marathons have helped a Goodwick family open a unique young people’s ward in memory of their teenage son.

Kath and Martin Hall’s fundraising efforts have raised thousands of pounds for the Noah’s Ark Appeal over the last three years, and a special teenage ward has now opened.

The young people’s unit cost £140,000 to complete, and was funded by family and friends of Ian Lacey Hall, who died aged 19 in a car accident nearly four years ago.

Ian’s love of children inspired his family to raise money for the first Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff.

Mrs Hall said: “You’re in a sort of mist when something like that happens. Someone suggested asking for donations instead of flowers, and we chose Noah’s Ark because Ian loved kids.

“It’s helped us through and given us something to focus on.”

She added: “So many people knew Ian. Locals have really pulled together and been fantastic with their support.

“A massive amount has been raised, and it’s ongoing.

“The good thing about it is you can see where the money is going, and watch it grow.”

Family friend Carolyn Morgan raised £14,500 for the appeal by walking the coastal path, and the fundraising has snowballed ever since.

Nevern Show Committee’s Music in the Meadow event raised £5,800, which was presented to Mr and Mrs Hall last week.

Youngster Ben Phillips brought along huge pumpkins he had grown to raise money for the appeal. Mr and Mrs Hall took a pumpkin to Builth Wells horse sales, where it was auctioned in the ring, raising £730 for the appeal.

A second pumpkin is in the Bar Five restaurant in Fishguard in a guess-the-weight competition.

Other fundraising efforts have included a trek through Peru, marathons, a lorry pull and a big red lorry which is sponsored a penny for every mile it travels.

Chairman of the Noah’s Ark appeal Lyn Jones said: “It’s a tremendous help to us to have people like this. They are a bit special. They’ve been fantastic, really first class, and I can’t praise them enough.”