Last weekend, South Pembrokeshire came together to support some fantastic events that were happening in the county. Tenby, the home of Ironman Wales as well as Saundersfoot played hot to both the inaugural FootStep Run on the Friday evening (20 July), followed by the second TenFoot Swim on Saturday (21 July). Over 500 runners and walkers took part in the run and competitors ranged from the very young to a few septuagenarians.
There was a fantastic village atmosphere and large crowds supported those taking part. All participants received their medals from former Wales rugby international, Ian Gough. Ian also took part in the Tenfoot Swim and is keen to help the events grow in the future. After the uplifting scenes in Saundersfoot for the StepFoot Run, spirits still high despite the drizzle, events moved to Tenby on Saturday morning with the Mayor of Tenby, Cllr. Sue Lane, waving off the 300 swimmers, and hikers accompanying the swim along the coastal path on the TenFoot Trek.
Dubbed as the 'toughest open sea swim in Wales' by those who have done the course, an armada of swimmers, as well as safety crafts who accompanied them all arrived safely at Saundersfoot a few hours after leaving Tenby under starters orders. Despite braving thunderous currents and a bemused swarm of jellyfish, there was a feel good factor in the village, with so many swimmers, bedecked in their finisher's t-shirt, gracing the cafes and pubs.
The day ended with a great musical evening in Saundersfoot itself with an evening of music and merriment, intended as the icing on the cherry for the participants of all events.
All the activities are not just social events but have a worthwhile cause, raising money for three deserving charities. In 2018, the TenFoot events defined the recipient charities as Paul Sartori, the Dai Rees Foundation and Air Ambulance Wales. You cannot contemplate such events without the support and generosity of so many people and hard work from event organiser, Chris Williams BEM and his fantastic team of volunteers.
The Swim and Run events were sponsored by local business FBM, with the Estate Agency arm sponsoring the StepFoot Run, and the main event, the TenFoot Swim being sponsored principally by holiday letting agency FBM Holidays.
A spokesman for FBM Holidays, Thom James said "The events this year have been fantastic. We were excited last year when the Swim took place first of all, but when the chance came up to get involved and become main sponsor, we jumped at the chance. Aside from being involved in a great set of community events, seeing the difference it makes to the three charities involved is what it's all about. The general feeling that due to the exceptional turnout of participants across all three events, that the target to raise £20,000 will be met easily."
At the time of writing, the organisers are still finalising all fundraising efforts from the day, as well as collecting last minute sponsorships from local businesses, but unofficially, the committee feel that they have more than surpassed their £20,000 target. While there is still a wait on the confirmed final total, this represents a fantastic effort by all organisers, sponsors, participants, local businesses and volunteers who worked to make these events possible.
All the money raised without exception will be split equally between the three charities.
For more information or to visit the sponsors website, click to https://www.fbmholidays.co.uk/
