In these dark days, it has been so encouraging to see communities across Wales rally their support to help those in desperate need.

Peoples’ compassion, empathy and humanity have shone through.

In Newport, our established Polish community, working with the group Women of Newport has quickly formed the Polonia dla Ukrainy appeal to bring aid to the tens of thousands of refugees who are crossing from Ukraine into Poland.

The speed and the kindness of their actions is truly incredible. A massive thank you to all the volunteers who are working on the appeal.

If you would like to get involved, visit www.facebook.com/womenofnewport to see how you can help.

* Newport was ahead of the curve when it introduced the first electric bus fleet in Wales in 2020.

Now, our city is leading the way again, with the unique project of free bus travel during March.

Until the end of this month, all public buses operated by Newport Bus, Cardiff Bus and Fflecsi will be free to users within the Newport City Council area.

This is something I’ve called for in the Senedd on several occasions, so it’s fantastic to see Newport as the site of this trial.

We all want this to succeed, and for more affordable public transport to be the norm going forward – so please take up the opportunity this month presents.

* Welsh Government announced back in December that every household in Wales would be offered a free tree to plant to help combat the climate emergency.

The first of these free trees are now available for collection. For people in Newport West, the closest collection site is in Cwmbran.

Visit gov.wales/national-forest to find out where and when to collect your tree.

* Welsh Government is consulting on plans to improve walking, cycling and bus routes on the A48 between Newport and Cardiff. Please find the time to make your voice heard.

It is crucial local communities are represented in the entire process of delivering on the Burns report, and this is an important opportunity to have your say.

Active travel and bus routes will have a big role to play in the new transport system that will be built for Newport, so it is vital that these services are best geared towards serving people in our city.

You can complete the consultation online at gov.wales/cardiff-newport-travel-corridors until this Friday, March 11.