A NEW Quay schoolboy has raised nearly £2,000 for charity after taking to the water on a paddle board over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend - making him the charity’s top fund-raiser throughout the whole of UK and Ireland.

Steffan Williams, 12, a pupil from Ysgol Bro Teifi, answered the RNLI’s mayday call for fundraising and decided to not just do one mile on his paddleboard but attempt 10 miles in one day.

He raised nearly £2,000 for the RNLI Mayday Mile appeal through the event, and is now encouraging more people to get involved with the appeal to raise funds for equipment before the busy summer season on the coast.

Steffan said: “The RNLI Mayday Mile is a great way to raise money for the charity that saves lives at sea as you can do one mile or 100 miles in any way you want.

“You could run it, walk it, dance it and make it fun in fancy dress.

“I decided to take to the sea on my paddleboard, and I am really pleased I completed my challenge of 10 miles in one day.

“It was really hard going as the wind picked up in the afternoon but I did not want to give up.

“I have been really shocked at the support and want to thank everyone who has donated, I am so happy.”

Steffan’s total so far is £1,812 and he is the RNLI’s top individual fundraiser in the UK and Ireland.

The RNLI’s Mayday Mile campaign will be running throughout the month of May and anyone can take part.

With more people expected to be holidaying close to home this year, the RNLI predicts a summer like no other.

Roger Couch, New Quay RNLI’s lifeboat operations manager said: “Steffan has done a fantastic job on raising so much money for the charity and we are very grateful indeed.

“He is a true hero.

“This summer we expect to be very busy and urge people visiting our coast to take the necessary precautions.

“Always check the weather, the tides and if you are on the water remember to wear a buoyancy aid and take means of calling for help, a mobile phone or radio.”

To support Steffan and for more information on the Mayday Mile fund-raising event visit the website at themaydaymile.rnli.org/fundrais ing/steffans-paddleboarding-may day-challenge.