Yesterday (Sunday 31 July) Burry Port RNLI welcomed Leah Davin and husband Paul, with son Lewis and partner Jen, who came down from Birkenhead, Merseyside, to present us with a cheque for over £2,000.
The money was raised from fundraising activities including an annual charity football match and sponsored walks and was donated in memory of her son Sam Capper, who tragically lost his life in the Burry Holmes area of the Gower whilst on holiday in 2012.
Elder son Lewis was rescued from the water by the Burry Port RNLI lifeboat crew, but sadly younger son Sam did not survive, even through Lewis's valiant attempt to rescue him.
The family were met by the crew, presented their cheque and then in a privately owned boat, arranged by Lifeboat Chairman Trevor Griffiths, were escorted to the Burry Holmes area by both Burry Port lifeboats, The D-class Diane Hilary and the Atlantic 75 Leicester Challenge II.
The family were able to spend a few moments in the area and then returned to Burry Port, again under escort of the RNLI lifeboats.
A special moment forLewis, as he was re-united with crew members Rob Davies and Andrew Williams, who were on the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat that helped pull him from the water.
Roger Bowen, Burry Port RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'Leah and her family have been fundraising for Burry Port RNLI since the 2012 tragedy and we would like to thank them hugely, as well as their families and supporters who have helped them each year. All the lifeboat crew greatly appreciated their return visit and look forward to seeing them again in the future.'
Apart from both the Burry Port Lifeboats, a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, Tenby Lifeboat and Loughor Inshore Rescue Boat were also tasked to the incident in 2012, when Sam got into difficulty while fishing on the evening of August 1.
Media Contacts: For further information please contact Alun Wells, Lifeboat Press Officer at Burry Port RNLI, on 07929 783239.
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
