LONG-DISTANCE volunteer Anne Flaherty has travelled half way round the world to support the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust.

Anne, from Blackheath, New South Wales, Australia, made another return visit to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre and was very impressed with the developments made since her last visit in 2014.

“I look upon Pembroke Dock as my second home as it has such strong family ties for me,” said Anne. “It is very important to myself and my family to remember our personal connections with ‘PD’ and to support the Trust and the Heritage Centre.”

Anne’s father, Merv Pike, was a Sunderland flying boat pilot stationed at ‘PD’ with the famous 461 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. And her mother, Barbara - a wartime bride - came to the town in 1944 and the newlyweds set up their first home in Wellington Street.

“The house looks exactly the same as in wartime photos,” added Anne, “and it is so special to remember my parents here.”

Anne is very active within Sunderland flying boat groups in Australian states and she raises funds at home for the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust, which runs the Heritage Centre. Her father’s wartime story, published in Australia by the family, is on sale at the Centre.

This was Anne’s fourth visit to Pembrokeshire in recent years and for part of the time she stayed with Trust Volunteer Margaret Black in Pembroke. Margaret is an honorary member of Australian Sunderland groups. Anne also joined friends to hear Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir in concert at St John’s Church, Tenby, and returned home with a copy of the choir’s latest CD.