LIFEBOAT fund-raiser Steve Wood is returning to the waters of north Gower for the first time since losing his son there in a boating accident four years ago.

Steve is joining a group of fellow anglers for a fishing competition off the beach in Llangennith.

The event, organised via the internet forum World Sea Fishing, is the second in a brace of local fishing competitions.

The first, on August 23, saw 30 anglers competing in a "catch, measure and release" event at Cefn Sidan.

That event raised £376 for RNLI funds and it is hoped the second competition at Llangennith on Saturday will raise a further £500 for lifeboat funds.

Among those taking part will be 39-year-old fund-raiser Steve, from Plasmarl, Swansea.

A little over four years ago, tragedy struck during a fishing expedition involving Steve, his son Lee and a friend.

Their boat was capsized by a freak wave near Burry Holmes and 17-year-old Lee was lost.

Lifeboatmen mounted many search operations and Lee's body was eventually recovered 16 days later.

Since that tragedy, Steve has been involved in a series of events and stunts raising thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

Fishing competition organiser Roger James said: "Steve is a very keen and popular member of the forum.

"This will be the first time he will have fished north Gower waters since losing his son.

"I'm sure it will be quite an emotional day for him."

Saturday's event will see 50 or more anglers from across South Wales and further afield competing for honours.

The top prize will be a custom-built beach casting rod, donated by forum member Ken Davison, owner of Petals Garden Centre in Ammanford.

web link

Anyone wishing to enter the event should log onto:

www.worldseafishing.com