Andy sits in an inshore rescue boat, along with two RNLI lifeguards. Photo: RNLI.

‘Thank you for saving our Daddy’

Wednesday 7 October 2026

After paddleboarder Andy was swept out to sea and rescued by RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crew, he and his grateful family all wrote heartwarming thank you letters. Here they are:

‘I have even greater respect for everything you do’

A handwritten thank you letter, written by rescuee Andy

Here’s Andy’s letter:

‘Dear RNLI Holywell Bay Team,

I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in rescuing me from the sea near West Pentire on 11 August 2026 at approx. 3.24pm.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the professionalism and dedication you showed when I was in such a frightening and vulnerable situation. Your quick response in finding me and coming to my aid clearly saved my life. I am incredibly thankful to be safe.

RNLI volunteers are amazing and I have experienced that first hand. I have even greater respect for everything you do.

Thank you to every member of the Holywell Bay lifeboat crew and everyone involved in my rescue. I will never forget what you did for me that day.

My sincerest gratitude and appreciation,

Andy’

‘Words cannot express how grateful I am’

This is what Andy’s wife, Katie, wrote:

‘To Holywell Bay RNLI Team,

Words cannot express how grateful I am for you bringing my husband back safely to our family that day at Polly Joke [Porth Joke Beach].

I appreciate everything you do and how you risk your own lives, being away from your loved ones and families daily.

Thank you for being such an amazing, dedicated team and always remaining calm no matter the situation.

Myself and our boys were not calm on the beach that day, fearing the worst. We know now how much the sea can change in an instant with the winds and currents. Lifeguarded beaches are a must for us going forward.

Thank you to each one of you for the rescue. We will endeavour to raise as much as we can for the RNLI to continue supporting all the good you do.

Forever grateful,

Katie’

‘Thank you for saving our Daddy’

A handwritten thank you message, written by Andy’s young children

Andy’s two young children, Joushua (6) and Reuben (5), also wrote a note. It simply, and powerfully, says:

‘Thank you for saving our Daddy’

‘We’re here to help – you OK?’

Watch the rescue footage above and you’ll see the Holywell Bay lifeguards, Adam and Evie, powering out to sea on their inshore rescue boat to search for Andy. They find him, reassure him, and take him back to shore, with a helping hand from the Newquay RNLI lifeboat crew.

‘One of the most rewarding aspects of being involved in a rescue like this is knowing that you have helped save someone’s life,’ says Lifeguard Adam. ‘But what makes it even more meaningful is seeing the impact that rescue has on their family. Receiving those thank you notes from Andy’s sons after the rescue was incredibly humbling – knowing that our actions meant their dad was able to come home to them is something I will never forget. It’s moments like this that remind me why we do what we do. Hopefully this rescue will help remind people of the importance of choosing a lifeguarded beach.’

‘The rescue was a really important moment, and I’m just grateful that we were in a position to help Andy when he needed it,’ says Lifeguard Evie. ‘Receiving his thank-you note afterwards, especially hearing how much it meant to him and his sons, was incredibly special.’

Your donations make rescues like Andy’s possible. Thank you for helping our lifesavers reunite more families.