High-flying support for Port Talbot RNLI

Volunteers at Port Talbot Lifeboat Station recently had a wonderful and unusual surprise, when local paramotor pilot Nick Durham quite literally flew in to show his support for their recently launched ‘Copper Pots’ initiative.

Clive Morris, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Port Talbot RNLI began the initiative in December last year. Taking the idea of ‘Betty’s 5p Pots’, where lose 5ps are collected over time until the jar is full. Clive’s ‘Copper Pots’ spin on the idea is to collect 1ps and 2ps and fill a jar – that can then be donated to the RNLI. Since December, RNLI branded stickers have been created to add to the jars, and many locals have got involved, delivering their Copper Pots to the lifeboat station.

Clive said:

‘Our Copper Pots are a fantastic and fun way to donate to the charity, as a way to make sure pennies don’t go to waste, attributing to the RNLI’s lifesaving mission.

‘Even the smallest donation is greatly appreciated at the RNLI. Through this initiative, local people can visit their nearby stations to get involved, everyone is always welcome and it’s a great opportunity to meet the volunteers at your local station.

Nick heard about the Copper Pots through Port Talbot RNLI’s Facebook page and has been collecting his pennies throughout the year. Nick thought he’d deliver his pots in style and tie in a paramotor session landing on Aberavon Beach, before making his way to the station with two jars full of coppers.

Nick is well known in the area for his regular flights along the foreshore, paramotoring since 2021. He said:

‘Aberavon Beach is a great spot for training and practising, with a large open coastline that’s ideal for flying. We’ve got a group of around 28 of us that paramotor locally along the coast of south Wales.

‘The freedom of flying and being able to land in different places is unbelievable and exhilarating!’

Nick continued:

‘In total, I’ve collected somewhere between £5 and £10 and I wanted to donate to the RNLI because it’s such an important service, you should never underestimate how dangerous the water can be.

‘I’ll be continuing collecting and refilling my Copper Pots.’

Clive thanked Nick for his generous donation, saying:

‘We regularly have people taking Copper Pots away and bringing them back filled, but Nick has certainly taken this to the next level with his delivery.

‘The team in the shop were amazed and delighted to welcome Nick to the station.’

To find out more about the Copper Pots initiative – visit the station shop to pick up your stickers.

Notes to editors

• Link to download video: https://rnli.org/video-player/50362A1F-96FC-46E9-A38F256A2ADDD67E

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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