Latest news with #SamBrenchley
The Independent
07-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Surfer sparks backlash after launching fundraiser for new wetsuit rather than rescuers
A surfer who was 'brought back to life' by an off-duty RNLI lifeguard and airlifted to hospital by a charity has sparked backlash after he set up a fundraiser for a new wet suit. Sam Brenchley almost died after he was hit on the head and knocked unconscious 'for a few minutes' by his surfboard on March 31. He was spotted by an off-duty lifeguard at Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall, who took him to shore where he was then air-lifted to hospital by Cornwall Air Ambulance, a charity which relies on donations to operate. Mr Brenchley's wet suit was cut from his body during the rescue effort, prompting him to launch a £350 fundraiser for a new wetsuit to 'get back in the water'. However, his appeal - which was shared on a local Facebook group in a now deleted post - was not received well by other locals. 'Was fully expecting this to be raising money for the air ambulance, not asking for strangers to donate towards buying you a new wetsuit,' one wrote in response. Another person, who said they were a part of the rescue effort wrote: 'As I was one of 3 who pulled him out the water unconscious this is very disheartening to see, donation to air ambulance is more suitable than a wetsuit!' Mr Brenchley later shared an update on the appeal - confirming the funds raised would be going to the charity - after he was gifted a new wetsuit from a local surf shop. 'I want to thank the air ambulance for there incredible service and to the people on the beach that found me and and saved my life, to say I'm full of gratitude right now is an understatement,' he wrote. 'Surfing for me is a big part of my mental health stability and this suit allows me to go out everyday day and spend time doing the thing I love, I just want to get back to that position when I have recovered.' Cornwall Air Ambulance responds to over 1,000 rescue missions each year and receives no government funding but needs an estimated £8 million a year to operate. A spokesperson for Cornwall Air Ambulance confirmed the incident and said: 'Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to an incident at Fistral Beach in Newquay on March 31. We conveyed one patient to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for onward care.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rescued surfer sets up fundraiser for new wetsuit instead of RNLI
A surfer rescued by the RNLI has been criticised after setting up a fundraising page for a new wetsuit. Sam Brenchley was struck on the head by his board and dragged unconscious from the waves by RNLI lifeguards in Cornwall on March 31. He launched an appeal for a new £350 wetsuit after it had to be cut from his body as he was brought to shore before being airlifted to hospital. Ryan Nile, who was one of three rescuers who helped save him, said: 'This is very disheartening to see. A donation to the air ambulance is more suitable than a wetsuit!' Some wondered if it was a late April Fool's joke, while others suggested he should buy a cheaper second-hand wetsuit from surf therapy charity The Wave Project's wetsuit recycling scheme instead. Mr Brenchley was unconscious for a matter of minutes before he was spotted by an off-duty lifeguard and other surfers, who helped to bring him back to life at Fistral Beach in Newquay. Emergency crews from the Newquay coastguard rescue team and the ambulance service helped Mr Brenchley before the Cornwall Air Ambulance transferred him to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Following his ordeal, Mr Brenchley said in a Facebook post on April 2: 'On Monday I got hit by a surfboard and suffered a blackout in the water at Fistral and had to get airlifted off the beach. Unfortunately, for safety precautions they cut my wetsuit off me. Could you please donate to help me get a new suit and get back into water doing the thing I love.' After the criticism he issued an update and added: 'I want to thank the air ambulance for their incredible service and to the people on the beach that found me and saved my life – to say I'm full of gratitude right now is an understatement. 'Thank you to the hospital for looking after me and treating me with so much care and love. 'To the people that have sent kind messages also, thank you for putting good energy my way while I heal. 'Surfing for me is a big part of my mental health stability and this suit allows me to go out everyday and spend time doing the thing I love. I just want to get back to that position when I have recovered, once again thank you for your help.' A spokeswoman for Cornwall Air Ambulance said: 'Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to an incident at Fistral Beach in Newquay on March 31. We conveyed one patient to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for onward care.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
06-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Rescued surfer sets up fundraiser for new wetsuit instead of RNLI
A surfer rescued by the RNLI has been criticised after setting up a fundraising page for a new wetsuit. Sam Brenchley was struck on the head by his board and dragged unconscious from the waves by RNLI lifeguards in Cornwall on March 31. He launched an appeal for a new £350 wetsuit after it had to be cut from his body as he was brought to shore before being airlifted to hospital. Ryan Nile, who was one of three rescuers who helped save him, said: 'This is very disheartening to see. A donation to the air ambulance is more suitable than a wetsuit!' Some wondered if it was a late April Fool's joke, while others suggested he should buy a cheaper second-hand wetsuit from surf therapy charity The Wave Project's wetsuit recycling scheme instead. Mr Brenchley was unconscious for a matter of minutes before he was spotted by an off-duty lifeguard and other surfers, who helped to bring him back to life at Fistral Beach in Newquay. Emergency crews from the Newquay coastguard rescue team and the ambulance service helped Mr Brenchley before the Cornwall Air Ambulance transferred him to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Following his ordeal, Mr Brenchley said in a Facebook post on April 2: 'On Monday I got hit by a surfboard and suffered a blackout in the water at Fistral and had to get airlifted off the beach. Unfortunately, for safety precautions they cut my wetsuit off me. Could you please donate to help me get a new suit and get back into water doing the thing I love.' After the criticism he issued an update and added: 'I want to thank the air ambulance for their incredible service and to the people on the beach that found me and saved my life – to say I'm full of gratitude right now is an understatement. 'Thank you to the hospital for looking after me and treating me with so much care and love. 'To the people that have sent kind messages also, thank you for putting good energy my way while I heal. 'Surfing for me is a big part of my mental health stability and this suit allows me to go out everyday and spend time doing the thing I love. I just want to get back to that position when I have recovered, once again thank you for your help.' A spokeswoman for Cornwall Air Ambulance said: 'Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to an incident at Fistral Beach in Newquay on March 31. We conveyed one patient to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for onward care.'
