Porthcawl RNLI to host run remembering The Samtampa
On May 14th 2023, Porthcawl Runners, supported by Porthcawl RNLI, will be organising a memorial run to remember those involved in the Samtampa disaster.
The run will start near Porthcawl harbour and move toward Rest Bay before doubling back on itself and finishing at the lifeboat station. Registration opens at 9am for a 10am race start time.
The RNLI’s Fundraising & Partnerships Lead, Nick Molloy-Evans said ‘This will be a great opportunity for the whole of the community to come out for the morning and support the RNLI as we come together to remember this tragedy and raise vital funds to ensure we never see loss of life on this scale again’
This Sunday, 23 April, will mark 76 years since the tragedy in which 47 lives were lost from both the liberty ship SS Samtampa and the RNLI’s Mumbles lifeboat Edward, Prince of Wales at Sker Point.
Porthcawl lifeboat launch authority Ross Martin said: ‘There was a raging storm on that fateful night. The Samtampa had sailed from its home port of Middlesbrough a few days earlier and entered the Bristol Channel seeking shelter along the north Devon coast. Engine power nor anchors could hold the vessel which was blown across the channel towards the South Wales coast. The crew made a distress call and The Mumbles lifeboat was launched into the teeth of the storm to attempt a rescue.’
The event is a fun run with a beautiful, bespoke medal for all participants (photo included), anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to take part and families can support runners from the sidelines. You can register on the day or in advance via https://resultsbase.net/event/6669
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For more information, please contact Regional Media Officer, Claire Elshaw on [email protected] or 07468 353082
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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