A VOLUNTEER who is running around Wales to raise money for the RNLI has visited Aberdyfi and Tywyn and the Ll?n Peninsula.

Simon Marchant, 39, decided he wanted to take on a fundraiser to raise vital funds for the RNLI and will put himself through a run of over 1,000 miles which he is hoping to complete in 42 days.

He set off from Penarth Lifeboat Station on 14 July, before arriving in Aberystwyth on Monday, 30 July, and will be visiting stations in Gwynedd.

Simon, who lives in Penarth and is a trainee RNLI crew member at Penarth RNLI station, said he saw firsthand the importance of the RNLI as a crew member and after an RNLI crew saved his brother’s life in Cornwall when his brother was found unconscious while he was out surfing.

While Simon has a history of taking on cycling challenges to raise money, he said he had decided on the gruelling run, which will see him tackle an average of 23 miles per day, as something different and to give him a chance to explore the Welsh coastline.

After completing around 600 kilometres so far, Simon said the fundraiser was going well.

He said: “It’s going well to be fair. Obviously I didn’t know what to expect as I’ve never done anything like this before, but apart from a few niggles and pre-existing injuries it’s been going well."

Anyone who would like to donate can visit Simon’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marathondescymru

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