FISHGUARD RNLI received an unexpected gift just before Christmas when Cardiff fireman Mark Bean arrived at the lifeboat station to handover a cheque for £1,000.

The money was raised by Mark’s work colleagues at Whitchurch Fire Station in Cardiff as part of their annual fundraising event on November 5.

Mark’s parents were involved with the Fishguard RNLI lifeboat for many years - his father, Ken, as crew, and his mother as a fundraising volunteer. Mark’s mother, Pauline, died earlier this year and his colleagues wanted to give part of their charity funds to the Fishguard RNLI lifeboat as a mark of respect.

Mark said: “My father was on the lifeboat crew for 32 years and my mother spent most of her life fundraising for the RNLI so it means a great deal to me to make this donation in memory of mum.”

Fishguard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager David Williams said: “This generous donation came as a big surprise to us here at the station and we'd like to thank Mark and all his colleagues in the fire service for the early Christmas present. The RNLI charity receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on good will like this to maintain its 24/7 search and rescue service.

“We wish Mark and everyone at Whitchurch Fire Station a very merry Christmas.”