Man swims River Cleddau to raise more than £1,000 for Angle RNLI

Peter Kidney swam fromHook to Hobbs Point, Pembroke Dock, in under three hours on Sunday (4 September), raising £1,221 on the day.

Peter's charity swim had been cancelled twice recently, owing to adverse weather conditions, but more favourable weather conditions on Sunday meant the challenge, which was supported by Angle RNLI Lifeboat Station and Milford Haven Port Authority, could go ahead.

Richard Bowles, Angle RNLI Mechanic and crew member, handled pre-swim formalities with Brian MC Farlane, Water Ranger for Milford Haven Port Authority, and a volunteer-crewed private safety boat escort for Peter was set up at no expense to Peter or the RNLI.

The crew of three on the safety boat were Richard Bowles, fellow rib owner and Angle lifeboat crew volunteer Richard Davidson and Nigel Berry, Angle lifeboat crew volunteer.

Daphne Bush, of Pembroke RNLI Ladies Fundraising Guild, said: 'You really had to be at Hobbs Point to experience the atmosphere as the safety rib crew and Peter approached the slipway. Peter's family, friends and supporters were cheering them all home, together with the sound of the end of race siren from the yacht club itself. '

The first donation to Angle RNLI lifeboat station and Peter was presented to Peter just yards from the water's edge by Dennis Taylor, President of the Pembroke Dock Old Comrades Association of The Royal Engineers. He handed Peter an envelope containing a cheque for a £1,000.

A great celebration followed for Peter and his 'crew' with a yacht club RNLI fundraising barbecue. Local band The Krooks donating their time again for the charity and played during the afternoon, whilst Yacht Club RNLI race day sailors finished their race to join in.

Daphne added: 'The RNLI could not undertake research and development into new boats and stations, give their crews the best equipment to provide a 24/7 coastal search and rescue service, inland waterway rescue service, flood rescue service and lifeguard service without fundraisers like the one on Sunday.

'A huge thank you to everyone involved on behalf of the RNLI. The final figure raised by Peter will be announced shortly.'

Notes to editors:

The attched picture shows Peter Kidney triumphant at the end of his River Cleddau swim for the RNLI.

For more information please contact Daphne Bush, of Pembroke RNLI Ladies Guild, on 07790 310830.

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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.

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