Leah Davin, mum of teenager Sam Capper who died after falling off rocks at Llangennith, Swansea is supporting the rescuers who attempted to save the 15-year-old from Birkenhead back in 2012.
Sam was swept into the sea whilst on holiday in the area with his big brother Lewis. Lewis dived into the sea and attempted to save him and was rescued by the Burry Port RNLI crew. Leah now wants to show her gratitude to the RNLI volunteers who came to the aid of her sons and will launch a £40,000 fundraising drive towards a new boathouse.
The community arm of the Burry Port boathouse appeal will help towards the total cost of building a modern new facility for the RNLI volunteer crew. The RNLI has today unveiled images to reveal the design of the impressive facility.
Work to build the £2.5 million station will begin in March, and it is hoped the community dig deep to show their support.
Leah has been a friend and a regular fundraiser to the station ever since the tragic incident and was honoured to be invited to launch the appeal.
Leah said:
‘Without the RNLI I wouldn’t still have a beautiful loving son. Despite losing Sam being a heart breaking time of my life, I am eternally grateful for the heroic actions of the Burry Port crew in saving Lewis that day. Since then it has been a focus of mine to not only keep Sam’s memory alive, via an annual football match and 15 mile Yellow Wellie Walk, but to financially support the men and women who regularly risk their lives to save ours. With the help and support of friends and family our fundraising endeavours over the last five years have not only raised valuable funds but have increased the awareness of what a fantastic job the RNLI do across the country.’
The station have set up a Justgiving page and are urging the community to dig deep and show their support.
Trevor Griffiths , Chairman of the RNLI Lifeboat Management Group says:
‘To see the plans for the new lifeboat station finally come to fruition after several years of negotiations and planning, will be the first step in the regeneration of the harbour area.’
The new lifeboat station will house a visitor experience section, permanent RNLI shop, permanent education and training facilities. Both lifeboats will be housed in the building alongside much needed changing facilities for the volunteer crew.
Roger Bowen, Burry Port RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said:
‘The RNLI has been working closely with the county council to ensure that the new build will be an asset for Burry Port .The high specification, iconic building will house both boats thus making for a more efficient operation and provide much improved facilities that our volunteer crew deserve. It is also major step forward in the regeneration of Burry Port harbour and seafront area.
‘As a charity the RNLI is relying on the community to get behind this £40,000 and support our local lifesavers who are ready to drop everything and respond to the call for help when it comes.’
Burry Port RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer Alun Wells added:
‘The start of the build will mark an exciting change for the team at Burry Port, and the completion will leave an RNLI legacy for the people of Burry Port for many years to come.’
To donate towards the appeal, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/burryportlifeboatstation or call 0300 300 0128. For advice about organising a fundraising event please email Burry-Port@rnli.org.uk, communitysupportteam@rnli.org.uk or 0300 300 0128.
