Pic: RNLI
The family and friends of Sam Capper have continued an extraordinary fundraising tradition in his memory, with their latest efforts bringing the total raised for Burry Port RNLI to almost £40,000.
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.
