An Aberystwyth fundraiser preparing to climb four peaks of Cadair Idris to raise money for the RNLI has faced a backlash of online abuse.

Aberystwyth Town Councillor Nishant Chandolia will climb Craig Cwm Amarch, Penygadair, Cyfrwy and Mynydd Moel in a single day on 3 October, carrying an RNLI flag to each summit as part of his Four Peaks for the RNLI.

Nishant wants to give back to the charity that helped him when he got into difficulty while kayaking in Cardigan Bay in October 2022.

“That experience has stayed with me ever since,” he said.

He has raised nearly £400 ahead of the climb but since the fundraiser was shared on social media, it has also attracted a number of hostile comments about the RNLI and those supporting it.

Some describe the charity as a “migrant taxi service”, accused it of “importing migrants”, and claimed that supporting the RNLI amounted to enabling people-smuggling.

Others argued that people crossing the Channel should not be rescued unless their boats had already capsized, or that the RNLI do not deserve a single penny because they facilitate the illegal invasion of Britain.

Nishant said some comments went further and became personally abusive, with RNLI supporters branded as “brain dead”, and people in Aberystwyth who supported the charity described as “f*****d up in the head.”

He said: “I expected people to have different views about immigration, but I didn’t expect a charity fundraiser to attract this level of hostility.

“There is a huge difference between debating immigration policy and personally attacking people simply because they support a lifesaving charity.”

Nishant also said that the profiles and information available to him showed those people posting the more hostile comments did not appear to live in Aberystwyth or Ceredigion.

“That was quite striking,” he said.

“The response I’ve had locally has overwhelmingly been supportive and kind, while much of the most aggressive reaction seemed to be coming from outside the area.

“I don’t want that negativity to be mistaken for the voice of Aberystwyth.”

As well as raising money, Nishant said the challenge is intended as a gesture of solidarity with RNLI volunteers. “I’m doing this not only because the RNLI once came to my aid, but also in solidarity with the brave volunteers who continue to go out and save lives despite the abuse directed at them. They give their time and put themselves at risk to help complete strangers, and that deserves respect and support.”

Rather than discouraging him, Nishant said online hostility had made him more determined to complete the challenge. “If anything, this has strengthened my resolve.

“I’m even more determined now to climb those four peaks, carry the RNLI flag to every summit and raising as much as I possibly can.”

The positive response, he said, has far outweighed the negative comments.

“To have raised £390 already means a huge amount to me. People have donated even when times are difficult, shared the fundraiser and sent some incredibly kind messages. That support, particularly from people here in Aberystwyth, means far more to me than the negativity.”