THE memory of a tragic dad and son from Swansea is living on thanks to their family and a nationwide network of friends.
Steve Wood devoted himself to helping raise money for the RNLI in honour of his son Lee, who died in a boating accident off Gower in 2004.
Lee was aged just 17.
There was yet more heartbreak for his long-term partner and Lee's mum Nikki Sharp last May when 41-year-old Steve, from Trewyddfa Common in Morriston, died suddenly.
But despite his passing, the fundraising work is showing no sign of ending. Steve used to organise the annual World Sea Fishing Forum gathering in Llangennith in Gower as a memorial to Lee.
Last year it went ahead after his death, with Nikki saying then that she was determined to carry on the good work in memory of her partner and son.
That event raised �600 towards the �150,000 appeal to buy a new state-of-the-art Tamar-class lifeboat for the Mumbles RNLI station.
Now a friend of the couple, Paul Bailey, is preparing to set out on a marathon walk from the Midlands to South Wales, and is due to arrive in Mumbles on the anniversary of Steve's death.
"Paul was in the fishing forum with Steve and even though he lives in Stafford, he spends a lot of time down here," explained Nikki.
"When Steve passed away Paul said he wanted to do something for the Tamar appeal, in memory of Steve and Lee. He wanted to do it for both of them.
"We have only known him for three or four years but he has been a really good friend to us, as has his partner Tina.
"In May he is going to be walking from Stafford to Mumbles and he will time it to arrive here on May 12, which is the first anniversary of Steve's death.
"What's nice is that the forum has members from all over the country and everybody has offered to help.
"They will pick Paul up when he finishes his walking for the day, take him to their homes for the night and take him back to where they picked him up the next day.
"It's like having a network of friends who will do anything to help you."
Paul will be leaving on May 8 and will arrive at Mumbles Lifeboat Station on May 12, a year after Steve died.
He is setting up a website for people to pledge donations, and Nikki said there would be a reception organised for him when he arrived.
"I think what he is doing is brilliant," she added. "It is keeping Steve and Lee's names alive and it's for a fantastic cause as well.
"The new lifeboat is something we all need."
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
 |  |
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento