The family of a 15-year-old boy who drowned off the Welsh coast have raised almost £40,000 for the RNLI station that saved his brother's life while he tried to rescue him.
Sam Capper, from Birkenhead in Merseyside, was on a family camping holiday in the Gower in 2012 when he died after being swept into the sea off rocks in Llangenith while fishing with his 21-year-old brother.
His older brother Lewis, who dived into the sea after Sam was swept away, did all he could to save him and had to be rescued himself by Burry Port RNLI volunteers. Sam was airlifted to hospital, where he later died.
Fundraising efforts since the incident
Ever since the incident, Sam's mum Leah Davin and other family and friends have tirelessly raised money for the charity in recognition of the volunteers who responded that day. In the years since, they have organised charity football matches, sponsored walks, raffles and auctions.
Leah previously told ITV Wales: "A freak wave took Sam off the rocks. Lewis followed and they trod water for about 30 minutes.
"The Sea King helicopter winched Sam and took him straight to hospital. The RNLI took Lewis out of the water and unfortunately Sam just wasn't strong enough."
Plaque and milestone reached
At the lifeboat station there is a plaque offering a poignant reminder for crew members and visitors. Now, 14 years after the incident, the family have almost reached the goal they set out to achieve of raising £40,000 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."
