Former Westergate lifeguard hits TV screens on BBC One documentary

Simon Peppler was interviewed in the BBC One series, Seaside Rescue, about his work as a lifeguard on a Cornish beach.

He explained the treatment of a male surfer with suspected spinal injuries before the man was airlifted to hospital.

His mother, Gene Peppler, said: "I was proud to see Simon on television, as any mother would be.

"But it's such a shame that there are cutbacks at the sports centre. The less activities are held there, the less chances there will be for others to do what he has done."

She said she knew one person who had been made redundant from the centre, which forms part of the Westergate Community School campus on Lime Avenue.

"It all started for Simon at the centre," explained Mrs Peppler, 49, of Fontwell Close, Fontwell. "He went there at the age of 14 to learn kickboxing. That was where he gained the confidence and went on teach kickboxing.

"He did work experience at the centre and that's when he got really interested in sports and recreation. He was taken on a recreation assistant and he learned a lot."

Last winter saw Simon, 24, transfer his lifesaving skills to a surfing beach Down Under on an RNLI exchange. He also teaches surfing at nearby Hayle Surf Club.

What do you think? Send a letter to [email protected] or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.