A young windsurfer who was rescued by Exmouth RNLI after getting into difficulty this summer is urging the public to support the lifeboat charity's Christmas appeal for funding.

In August, Matthew Davey was out windsurfing with his father Geoff on the River Exe when he fell off his board and was caught by the strong tidal current which was pulling him out to sea.

Geoff, watching from the shore, alerted the RNLI, and lifeguard Dom Brown sprang into action on the rescue watercraft.

He located Matthew at the mouth of the river, calmed him down and brought him back to shore.

A video of the rescue can be seen here: Windsurfer rescue video

Once Matthew was safe, Connor Gray then joined Dom as crew on the rescue watercraft to locate his windsurfer's kit, which was drifting out to sea. They remained with the kit until Exmouth's RNLI's inshore lifeboat reached the scene and recovered it.

'Without them it might have been a very different Christmas'

Describing the incident this week, Matthew recalled how frightened he had been.

He said: "The tide was pulling me further and further out. The further out I got, the waves were getting bigger and I was struggling with my kit.

"I realised that I needed help and I was preparing myself for the worst. I didn't see the lifeguards arrive at first, I was too preoccupied trying to work out how I could get myself out of the situation.

"It was like a miracle seeing them there. Amazing seeing them and knowing that you'll be safe, it was instant relief.

"Without them it might have been a very different Christmas and I can't thank the lifeguard Dom and his team enough.

"I am aware it has been a difficult time for the RNLI and that's why I would urge people to get behind their Christmas appeal and give what they can to support these fantastic crews, who put themselves in danger to help others."

How to support Exmouth RNLI

The RNLI has lost millions of pounds this year because its fundraising activities had to be cancelled and its shops closed, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

It also had to spend an un-planned-for £1.2 million this year to ensure that its volunteer lifeboat crews and beach lifeguards had the vital PPE, such as face masks and gloves, to keep its lifesavers and the public safe.

For 2020, the RNLI purchased 6.7 million units of coronavirus PPE, including almost 700,000 face masks, 2.4 million gloves and just under 5,000 litres of hand sanitiser.

To make a donation to the RNLI's Christmas Appeal visit the RNLI website.

The Exmouth RNLI shop is open from 11am until 3pm on Saturday, December 12, Sunday December 13 and Monday September 14. Opening times from December 15 to be advised.

Guided outdoor visits to the lifeboat station in Queens Drive Exmouth, revised to comply with current coronavirus regulations, are available during weekends only through December, 11am to 3pm, and during the school holidays on December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Volunteer RNLI tour guides will be on hand to provide information and to answer questions.