Item 5 is the 90-second statements, and the first this week is Jayne Bryant.
This week is Dementia Action Week—a week that unites individuals, workplaces and communities to take action and improve the lives of people living with dementia. One person develops dementia every three minutes, and it's predicted that, by 2055, there will be over 100,000 people in Wales living with dementia. It's our responsibility to make Wales a dementia-friendly nation that supports people to live well within their communities for as long as possible.
At the most recent counts, there are now almost 150,000 dementia friends across Wales. In my own constituency of Newport West, dedicated volunteers, like Ray Morris, have delivered the training to hundreds of people in schools and colleges across the city. Ray's determination to build dementia-friendly communities is an inspiration.
Last year, I reminded the Assembly that we pledged to become dementia-friendly in 2015, and at this point a year ago 26 of us were dementia friends. I'm pleased to say that now 42 of us have become dementia friends. However, that's still not enough. We need all 60 of us to become dementia friends in order for the National Assembly for Wales to become the first dementia-friendly Parliament in the world. It's quick and easy to do, yet it has a huge impact, increasing understanding and awareness of dementia. My challenge to you is, if you have not yet become a dementia friend, to do so as soon as possible. Let's make this Assembly dementia-friendly.
Thank you. Leanne Wood.
I was thrilled to discover that this year's Welsh Headteacher of the Year award has been won by a headteacher from the Rhondda. Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda's Rhian Morgan Ellis has been awarded this accolade, which, in my opinion, is more than well deserved.
Rhian was raised in Pontygwaith and Penrhys in the Rhondda. She excelled at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, and later graduated from Aberystwyth University. She taught at Llanhari, before joining Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda, where she has been teaching for the last three decades. During that time, she climbed the ranks and became headteacher at a very difficult time for the school, and her influence as head has transformed the school. She's not just a great champion for excellence in teaching, but she's also a great champion for the Welsh language. We are lucky to have her in the Rhondda and at Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda, as many of her past pupils have pointed out when saying llongyfarchiadau to her.
There is no doubt Rhian would say that her award would not have been possible without the support of her staff and the hard work of her pupils and their parents. These are the hallmarks of a great headteacher. Lifting those around you is an essential element of leadership and Rhian excels at doing this. As a parent of a child at that school, but also on behalf of the Rhondda and all past pupils, I would like to say: diolch am bopeth, Rhian.
Thank you. Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Thank you. I'm pleased to highlight an astonishing charity bike ride, which is now drawing to its close, and to congratulate the three constituents who have been cycling tenaciously since the end of March.
Andy Fowell, Steve MacVicar and Roger Thomas got in the saddle in Istanbul on 28 March, and since then they’ve cycled an average of 65 miles a day, 5,500 miles in total, through four mountain ranges on what’s known as the iron curtain cycle trail. Now, the ride finishes in Holyhead tomorrow. I’d hoped to ride the last leg with them. Assembly business means I won’t be able to—[Interruption.] But I am pleased to be able to commit to the far less energetic act of sending this message of support.
I have done some fundraising cycle rides myself. Sadly, thanks to Andy, Steve and Roger, my 200 mile rides from Anglesey to Cardiff no longer seem impressive. But I do know that raising funds for good causes in this way has a remarkable power of focusing the mind and the body on the task ahead.
They’ve raised over £13,000 for two charities. I know the Motor Neurone Disease Association will be hugely grateful to you, and all of us who support the St David’s Hospice will be delighted to see such a substantial donation being made, as they plan to open a new centre in Holyhead.
Now, the three adventurers will cross the Menai suspension bridge around one o'clock tomorrow, arriving in Holyhead around five o'clock. So, go on, go and cheer them along their way, search 'Asia to Anglesey' on Facebook or Just Giving to add to their fundraisinig total. And, on behalf of everyone, diolch—thank you—and I hope you enjoy your very, very long hot bath tomorrow night.
Thank you very much.