Porthcawl RNLI is delighted that one of its own volunteer crew, Gareth Charnock has been selected to run for the RNLI in this years TCS London Marathon.

Gareth said: ‘I have been a volunteer at Porthcawl RNLI for almost 7 years and in that time I’ve been involved in numerous incidents and rescues. I’ve seen first hand how public donations to the charity save lives, which is why I wanted to take on this challenge and raise further funds for saving lives at sea at Porthcawl.

‘As the owner of the local gym, Porthcawl Health and Fitness, I’m looking forward to the personal challenge of running the TCS London Marathon and I was really pleased to have been chosen for an RNLI charity place. I’ve been running in shorter events for some time and recently ran the Hoka Half Marathon but this will be my first full marathon. It will also be the first time I’ve visited London, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the sights and landmarks too.

‘Too many people are still drowning off the coast of the UK and Ireland and more than ever, we need the RNLI. As a charity, we depend on donations so we can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.’

Gareth and Stormy Stan in Porthcawl lifeboat station

Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat operations manager, Philip Missen MBE said: ‘as a station we’re very proud of Gareth. He is a great example of how far our crews are willing to go to support us. Not only is Gareth an integral part of our volunteer crew at Porthcawl but he is no stranger to raising funds for us either. Over the years he has organised regular fundraising events for us, often getting his gym members involved too.

‘The RNLI is proud of its long heritage and tradition of voluntary fundraising, and it is only thanks to thousands of people like Gareth, willing to go out of their way to raise funds, that we can continue to save lives at sea.’

To donate to Gareth’s fundraising page: Gareth Charnock is fundraising for RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution (justgiving.com)