A DARING local volunteer has raised more than £1,500 to help care for Pembrokeshire’s wildlife by completing a treacherous sea swim.

Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) volunteer Dave Astins swam 2.5miles from Marloes Sands, across Marloes Bay to the beautiful Skokholm Island in amazing time of 1hr 24mins.

Dave, who works in Education and Children’s Services for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “I am absolutely delighted with how things went what an amazing experience.

“The first part of the swim was lovely but half way through there was a fairly heavy swell which made swimming extremely difficult.

“I knew I had to stay patient and hold back, seeing the Island get closer really lifted my spirits and motivated me during the final stage.”

He added: “This was also a personal challenge and I am extremely pleased with my time; it would not have been possible without the support of so many people; the Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales, SwimCap.com, Skomer Marine Nature Reserve, Natural Resources Wales, Skalmey Boat and everyone that’s already donated to the JustGiving page.”

But there was no rest for Dave on Skokholm, as he spent the next three nights on the island volunteering for the Wildlife Trust.

After a quick cup of tea and bite to eat Dave was already getting stuck in to his list of jobs which include painting and maintenance.

Dave, who trains with Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club, has donated all the money raised to the Wildlife Trusts’ work on Skokholm Island, a world famous seabird colony and Britain’s first bird observatory.