Tobias Kennedy-Matthews

Hi, my name is Tobias and I have spent the last 6 years fundraising over £50,000 for local charities, community projects and families or individuals that need it most. Having spent all of last year learning how to swim and starting to run I’m ready to continue in my sporting journey. This year I hope to raise £2000 - £3000. My first beneficiary will be both RNLI Appledore Lifeboat Station and Clovelly Lifeboat Station, these stations are an integral part of our local community, and as a coastal community, so many of us have been, or know someone that has been saved thanks to the bravery of the crews. I was rescued when I was 13 having drifted out to sea on a bodyboard, caught in a riptide and unable to swim, the lifeboat brought me in safely! Now that we have our beautiful daughter Tallulah Love, and having seen just a glimpse of the fantastic work they do, I will also be raising money for Devon Antenatal Family Centre, Devon Antenatal Family Centre CIC supports vulnerable families across North Devon from pregnancy through to early parenthood. They provide inclusive antenatal and postnatal education, a welcoming play café, practical support through their baby and food bank, and a safe community space where families can access support without stigma. Their work focuses on reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, and ensuring all families, regardless of circumstance, have access to information, support, and a sense of belonging during the critical early years. Having never run further than a 10k before in my life, I plan to run both the BIdeford Half Marathon and the Great West Run in Exeter in the early part of the year, not only that but having only started learning to swim this time last year, I plan to take on at least 2 more sea / open watertriathlons, and hopefully make one of them an Olympic distance. I might throw in some pool triathlons for fun too!

most of us in this chimney sweep community know what it’s like to be self employed, work related injury is a real risk and sometimes you just can’t foresee an easy mistake. Melanie is a valuable member of our community and someone I often turn to for reassurance and advice. if we were in this situation we all know what a pain it would be, literally and financially, so if anyone can, maybe it would be nice to donate a sweep to help her tick by through her recovery.

Hi, I just wanted to set up an emergency fund to help those affected by the fire on Honestone Street. As a proud local working class man ita important that as a community we look after each other. Funds will go directly to East the Water Community Food Pantry who will be available to help and distribute it as they see fit to help those affected. Any left over money will go towards helping the wider community. Many thanks Tobias