Sam Cappers legacy raises almost £40,000 for Burry Port RNLI

On Saturday 15 August, volunteers at Burry Port RNLI welcomed Leah and her husband Rahim, who travelled from the Wirral, Merseyside, to once again visit the lifeboat station and present the proceeds of fundraising held in memory of Leah's son, Sam Capper.

Sam tragically lost his life in 2012 while on holiday in the Gower, following an incident near Burry Holms on the north Gower coast. Sam's elder brother, Lewis, was rescued by the volunteer crew from Burry Port RNLI.

The incident has never been forgotten at the lifeboat station, where a plaque at the station remains a poignant reminder for crew members and visitors. In the years since, Leah, her family, friends and supporters have turned their loss into an extraordinary legacy of support for the charity whose volunteers responded that day.

Each year, fundraising activities are held in Sam's memory, including the annual Sam Capper Memorial Day, charity football matches, sponsored walks, raffles and auctions. This year's Memorial Day, held at Tranmere Victoria Cricket Club, raised £3,223, with supporters, local businesses and colleagues once again coming together to donate prizes, their time and their support.

The latest fundraising means that, since 2012, almost £40,000 has now been raised in Sam's memory for Burry Port RNLI. Former Burry Port RNLI Chairman Trevor said:

‘On behalf of everyone at Burry Port Lifeboat Station, I cannot thank Leah, her family, friends and everyone who has supported them over the years enough for what they continue to do in Sam's memory.

‘We will always remember Sam and the events of that day. What Leah and her family have done since then is remarkable. Year after year they have returned, raised funds and continued to support our volunteer crew and the RNLI.

‘To now be just a few hundred pounds short of £40,000 is an incredible achievement. Every pound has been raised because people have come together to remember

Sam and support the lifesaving work of the RNLI. We are incredibly grateful, and Leah and her family will always have a very special connection with Burry Port Lifeboat Station.’

For Leah, the fundraising has remained both a way of keeping Sam's memory alive and recognising the RNLI volunteers who responded to the family's emergency in 2012. The relationship between the family and the station has continued over the years, with their visits to Burry Port becoming about much more than presenting a cheque. Leah and her family remain warmly welcomed friends of the station and its volunteers.

Burry Port RNLI would like to thank Leah, her family and friends, everyone involved in the Sam Capper Memorial Day, and all those who have donated prizes, sponsored events or contributed to the fundraising over the years. Their continued support ensures that Sam's memory lives on while helping RNLI volunteers continue their lifesaving work at sea.

Notes to editors

• Sam Capper tragically lost his life following an incident on the north Gower coast in 2012.
• Sam's elder brother Lewis was rescued by Burry Port RNLI volunteers during the incident.
• Leah Hunt, her family, friends and supporters have fundraised for Burry Port RNLI annually since 2012.
• Fundraising has included the annual Sam Capper Memorial Day, charity football matches, sponsored walks, raffles and auctions.
• The 2026 Sam Capper Memorial Day raised £3,223.
• The total raised in Sam's memory since 2012 now stands at almost £40,000.
• Burry Port RNLI is grateful to everyone who has supported the fundraising over the years.

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please contact John Massocchi, Lifeboat Press Officer for Burry Port RNLI on 07909 571 551 or email [email protected].

Alternatively you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on [email protected] or 07977 728 315 or the RNLI Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

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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