Leo Candler walks and cycles 61 miles in one month for lifesaving charity

A DETERMINED seven-year-old from Pembrokeshire has raised hundreds of pounds for the RNLI after walking or cycling more than a mile every day throughout May.

Leo Candler took part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile challenge, clocking up a total of 61 miles during the month. His efforts have already more than doubled his original fundraising target of £125, with donations currently standing at £286 — and still rising.

Inspired by his father’s role

Leo’s passion for the lifesaving charity is deeply rooted in family. His father, Scott, is both a Lifeguard Assessor Trainer and a volunteer crew member on the St Davids Lifeboat.

“Leo’s always been the RNLI’s number one fan,” said his mother, Simona Candler. “He’s grown up with the yellow wellies, supporting his dad on the beach, watching lifeboat launches, and visiting the RNLI College. He absolutely loves it.”

Some of Leo’s walks and rides took him to and from local lifeboat stations, and included visits to RNLI lifeguards at Whitesands Beach. He was often joined by his younger brother Zane, aged three, who is already following in his footsteps.

A mission that matters

“Even though Leo is only seven, he understands how important the RNLI’s work is — not just in the UK but around the world,” said Simona. “He knows his dad went to Bangladesh to help set up their lifeguard service, and he’s proud of that.”

She added: “It was amazing to see a boy his age so determined to get his miles in each day. We’re incredibly proud of both our boys.”

Leo’s fundraising campaign continues until the end of June. Donations can be made online by searching “RNLI – Leo Candler”.

Brave little fundraiser: Leo aboard St Davids Tamar Class Lifeboat (Pic: Herald)

THE NSPCC Helpline handled a record 7,825 contacts from adults concerned about domestic abuse affecting children last year, marking a 14% increase from the previous year.

Figures released by the charity show this is the highest annual number since the Helpline began specifically tracking domestic abuse concerns in 2021/22. On average, 21 adults contacted the service daily between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, highlighting the alarming scale of the issue.

Notably, there was a significant 29% rise in concerns relating to coercive and controlling behaviour compared to the previous year, alongside a 24% increase in reports of emotional abuse.

A third of these contacts resulted in referrals to local agencies, including police and children’s social services, ensuring immediate intervention and support for affected children.

Adults who contacted the NSPCC expressed worries about various forms of domestic abuse, including physical violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, and financial abuse.

One grandparent who reached out to the Helpline described deep concerns for her grandchildren’s safety due to their step-father’s aggressive and threatening behaviour, reflecting the complex nature of domestic abuse situations.

Jess, from Wales, who experienced years of domestic abuse from her biological father, emphasised the severe, long-term impact such abuse can have on mental health and wellbeing. She urged individuals to speak up and seek help early, stating, “Contacting the Helpline could be the first step in helping turn a young person’s life around.”

Paddi Vint, Development and Quality Manager at NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor Team, said: “The surge in contacts to our Helpline about domestic abuse is alarming, particularly as we’ve recorded the highest annual total since tracking began. It is crucial everyone recognises the signs of domestic abuse, particularly coercive control, which is increasingly common. Quick action and collective vigilance can significantly help protect children at risk.”

Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]. Children experiencing issues can reach Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

Huge questions remain regarding cash raised to help veterans

A MAN at the centre of a viral scandal involving missing veterans’ charity funds is facing fresh questions after publishing what experts say is a fake bank screenshot — using it both to defend himself and attack this newspaper.

Darren Edmundson, known online as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot,” was accused in April in a widely shared Facebook post of taking more than £4,000 from PTSD Camp Bath where he volunteered.

The post, shared more than 2,100 times, alleged that he changed passwords on the charity’s SumUp account and vanished to Pembrokeshire while its directors were on holiday.

It also claimed that a 73-year-old Royal Marine staying at the camp had been “ripped off.”

Charity urged caution — but now changing tone

At the time, PTSD Camp Bath distanced itself from the claims. Steve, a retired Royal Marine and second in command at the camp, told The Herald the post was “unauthorised and irresponsible.”

He confirmed that Edmundson had access to the charity account but said funds were believed to be ringfenced, and that there was not yet proof any money had been taken.

He also flatly denied the most serious personal allegation: “That accusation is false — because that is me.”

Edmundson posts fake image to discredit press

Several weeks after The Herald’s initial report, Edmundson sent a screenshot to this newspaper purporting to show a balance of £4,062.50 remaining in the charity’s account. He then posted the same image on his personal social media, accusing The Herald of printing false information and claiming the money was “safe.”

But a SumUp expert has now confirmed the screenshot is fake.

Among the telltale signs:

• The phrase “available money” — which does not exist in the real app (it should read “available balance”).
• Formatting inconsistencies and metadata that suggest manual alteration.
• A second version of the same screenshot later emerged online showing £10,062.50, with identical layout and account number.

The Herald asked Edmundson to explain why he sent and published a false document. As of publication, he has not responded.

Real balance: just £62.29

Jo Drayson, who runs PTSD Camp Bath with her husband Dion, said she has since regained access to the charity’s SumUp account. The actual available balance was £62.29 as of Thursday (June 19), following a small transfer in.

“So where’s the money gone?” Mrs Drayson said, adding that the charity is holding back from disclosing further account information publicly while evidence is gathered.

She had previously been told by police that the matter might be civil, due to Edmundson being the registered account holder — but the alleged use of fake documents may now change that assessment.

However PTSD Camp Bath have not helped themselves. They had not registered their charity with the Charity Commission or set it up as a Community Interest Company.

Without official status, they struggled to get a bank account.

That is where Edmundson stepped in, setting up the account under a company he controlled called The Late Night Veteran’s Show Limited.

That is why he had access to the funds collected for the benefit of the veterans being helped at the camp.

The Herald has contacted Avon and Somerset Police for an updated response.