Charity

Seal pup who swam 120km in four days now recovering at RSPCA wildlife centre

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

A grey seal pup found underweight and dehydrated in St Brides Bay has been taken into specialist care after making an extraordinary journey from Cornwall.

A GREY seal pup who travelled an estimated 120 kilometres in just four days is now recovering at an RSPCA wildlife centre after being found dehydrated and underweight on the Pembrokeshire coast.

The fully weaned pup was discovered on rocks at St Brides Bay on Wednesday (Dec 11) after being spotted looking thin and unwell. Wildlife officers later confirmed he had made the journey from Port Gaverne in north Cornwall.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer Ellie West said she was immediately concerned when she arrived on scene.

“The pup was dehydrated and in a thin body condition, with obvious rolls of skin that should have been filled with fat and blubber,” she said.

“I also noticed marks on his back similar to the spray marks we use after assessing seals, so that we know we have seen them before if they come into care again.”

However, the colour of the markings did not match those normally used in west Wales, prompting Ellie to contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who confirmed they had previously assessed the same seal.

Ellie said: “BDMLR confirmed the pup had been checked by volunteers four days earlier on Saturday (Dec 7) at Port Gaverne. At that time he was borderline for intervention and was released back into the wild.

“With wildlife rehabilitation spaces at a real premium during seal season, he was given another chance without intervention.”

In the days that followed, the young seal swam almost in a straight line across the Bristol Channel, eventually reaching the Pembrokeshire coastline.

“This is a really long swim for a young pup,” Ellie said. “By the time he arrived here he had lost more weight, was dehydrated, passing very dark loose faeces, and had ulcers in his mouth.”

Ellie removed the seal from the beach and administered immediate care, including electrolyte fluids and fish, before transporting him to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset.

At the centre, the seal was named Muse, in keeping with this year’s music-themed naming convention. He is being cared for alongside other rescued seals including Elvis, found at Porthcawl, and Dido, rescued from Mwnt near Cardigan. BDMLR was also involved in the rescues of Elvis and Dido.

“I’m pleased to say Muse is doing really well,” Ellie said. “He is feeding well and gaining the weight he needs. I last saw him on December 27 and it was lovely to see how much he had improved.

“Our dedicated wildlife assistants, veterinary teams and volunteers work incredibly hard to get animals fully fit and ready for release back into the wild, where they belong.”

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said Muse arrived underweight but has responded well to treatment.

“Muse came in with a suspected respiratory infection and completed a course of antibiotics,” he said. “Thanks to the work of Ellie’s team, he has self-fed the entire time he’s been with us.

“He weighed 16kg on admission and by Christmas Eve had reached 19kg. He is now in one of our larger indoor pens and will soon be paired with another seal.”

Seal pups can remain in care at West Hatch for several months. During seal season, which typically runs from September to March, the centre spends an average of £1,400 per week per seal on fish and veterinary care.

The RSPCA works in partnership with organisations including BDMLR to respond to seal welfare concerns and is reminding members of the public to keep their distance if they spot a seal on the beach.

“Seals are wild animals and can deliver a serious bite if they feel threatened,” Ellie said. “Dogs should always be kept on leads near seal colonies.”

She added that it is common for seal pups to be seen alone, as mothers often leave them while feeding at sea.

“If a pup looks healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it from a safe distance for 24 hours,” she said. “But if it appears injured, unwell, distressed, or is on a busy public beach, please call our emergency line on 0300 1234 999.”

Ellie also explained that in west Wales most seal sightings involve grey seals rather than common seals.

“If a pup still has a long white coat of fur, known as lanugo, it is likely still dependent on its mother,” she said. “Once they lose that coat, they are weaned and expected to fend for themselves, which is where many struggle and lose weight.”

More information on what to do if you find a seal or seal pup can be found on the RSPCA website.

This winter, the RSPCA has launched The Big Give Back to Animals appeal to raise vital funds for frontline rescue and rehabilitation work.

Charity

Charles Rees tractor and car run draws strong turnout for charity

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run organised by Charles Rees brought together farmers, vintage vehicle enthusiasts and local residents from across Pembrokeshire, raising funds for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event took place on Sunday (Dec 28), starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm, Camrose, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy setting off at 10:30am.

Dozens of tractors – ranging from well-restored vintage machines to modern working tractors – lined up alongside classic and historic cars, creating an impressive display before heading out on a planned route around the county.

The run left Dudwell Farm via Dudwell Lane towards Camrose, turning at Camrose Folly Road towards The Rising Sun, before crossing the main St David’s road and continuing through Sutton, Rogeston, Nolton Cross, Nolton Haven, Newgale, Roch and Cuffern, before returning to Dudwell Farm via the back road.

Community support

Spectators gathered at Dudwell Farm and at points along the route to watch the convoy pass, with organisers reminding the public to observe from a safe distance from the road and traffic.

A £20 registration fee per vehicle included a bacon roll and hot drink for drivers, with additional donations collected locally in support of the two charities. On the return to Dudwell Farm, participants and supporters were welcomed back with a pig roast and refreshments.

Staff and volunteers from the Paul Sartori Foundation were present on the day and praised the turnout, thanking organisers, drivers and helpers for their hospitality and the scale of support shown.

A spokesperson said events like the tractor and car run play an important role in supporting hospice care and cancer services across Pembrokeshire, particularly through the efforts of rural and farming communities.

Organisers thanked everyone who took part, helped with marshalling, donated, or came out to support the convoy, saying the success of the run reflected the strong community spirit across the county.

Charity

100th shout of the year on Christmas Eve for Angle RNLI

Published

2 weeks ago

December 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ANGLE RNLI lifeboat crew were called out on Christmas Eve for the one-hundredth time this year after reports of red flares in the Lawrenny area.

In what has been described as a record-breaking year for the station, the crew were paged at 7:03pm to investigate multiple reports of flares being seen.

Alongside Dale Coastguard Rescue Team, the lifeboat carried out a thorough search of the water between the Cleddau Bridge and Lawrenny.

After an extensive sweep of the area, nothing was found and the incident was believed to be a false alarm with good intent. The lifeboat was stood down and returned safely to her berth by 9:00pm.

Marking a milestone moment for the crew, the Christmas Eve call-out underlined just how busy 2025 has been for Angle RNLI.

The station also took the opportunity to thank Milford Haven Coastguard for their “excellent coordination and cooperation” throughout the year, praising the teamwork that supports lifesaving operations across the Haven.

Charity

One woman, one mission: 200 marathons in 200 days

Published

2 weeks ago

December 23, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Runner circles Britain’s coastline to raise funds for Samaritans after her own mental health struggles

A FINANCIAL journalist is running a marathon every day for nearly seven months around the entire coastline of Britain in a bid to raise money and awareness for the Samaritans.

Megan Boxall, aged 33, set off on her 5,240-mile challenge from Suffolk in October and aims to finish in May 2026. If successful, she will become the fastest woman ever to run the British coastline, beating the current record of 298 days set by Lindsey ‘Linzi’ Bell.

Megan’s motivation is deeply personal. She has spoken openly about struggling with her mental health over several years and credits running with helping her find hope. During her darkest moments, she reached out to the Samaritans.

She said: “When I was at my lowest, the Samaritans helped me keep going. Their volunteers were there for me when the pain in my brain was so intense I couldn’t even pick myself up off the floor. I only wish I had picked up the phone sooner.”

According to the charity, someone in the UK dies by suicide every 90 minutes, while Samaritans volunteers answer a call for help every ten seconds.

Megan said she hopes her challenge will encourage more people to talk openly about mental health and seek support when they need it.

“I hope that by sharing my experiences with Samaritans, and by raising money as I circle the country, I can help others who are struggling,” she said.

The idea of running the British coastline has stayed with Megan since childhood, inspired by her uncle, Tom Isaacs, who walked the coast after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease aged 33.

She is not completing the journey entirely alone. Megan’s dog, Shadow, will be joining her for parts of the route, with dog-tech sponsor PitPat helping the pair track their miles together.

Along the way, Megan also plans to interview local businesses she meets on her route, highlighting the importance of coastal communities to the UK economy and sharing positive stories from around the country.

So far, she has raised £10,000 towards her £50,000 target and is seeking additional partners to support the challenge, including accommodation providers along the route.

More information about the challenge, and how to support it, can be found at meganboxall.com, or via her JustGiving page.