For hearts and minds: Littlehampton coastguard's marathon journey

For hearts and minds: Littlehampton coastguard's marathon journey

Longstanding Littlehampton coastguard Paul Gill continues to fundraise for charity after his son Henry was born with a heart condition.
Paul Gill, Littlehampton CRO with his son.

Littlehampton coastguards are highly visible across West Sussex. From water rescues to beached paragliders, the team is a crucial 24/7 emergency response covering 20 miles of coastline between Brighton and Selsey.

Among the Littlehampton team is 47-year-old Coastguard Rescue Officer Paul Gill. 

Beginning his career in London as Press Officer at one of the capital’s most popular tourist attractions, it seems unlikely that almost 30 years later Paul would become one of West Sussex’s longest-standing coastguards. 

“After beginning my career in London, I realised I wanted to experience life a bit more: to go travelling and work a ski season somewhere. That was 27 years ago!”

Returning from his travels, Paul wanted to get into something new and began teacher training. Education soon became a passion, and 20 years on Assistant Headteacher Paul’s love for teaching young people with special educational needs is second only to his family and work with HM Coastguard. 

“When I was younger, I worked several seasons as a beach lifeguard at Littlehampton, collaborating closely with the Coastguard Rescue Team. I loved it, so I decided to join HM Coastguard officially in 2004. 

Littlehampton CRO Paul Gill with his son Henry.

“I still get the buzz for the job! It’s fair to say that we’re a lot busier these days, and our training and skills have increased quite a bit across those 20 years.” 

In 2009, Paul and his wife welcomed their first son Henry into the family, and their world changed forever. 

“Henry was born with a heart condition, spotted in his 22nd hour. We ended up driving an empty car seat home, while Henry was prepped for open heart surgery and blue lighted to a specialist hospital.

“When you have a child who’s born with a condition, there's usually no book for it, and about 15 years ago there was no real guidance. Since then, Henry’s had three open heart surgeries and overall, he’s had 15 additional heart operations. 

“Henry has a feeding port in his tummy, which is supplied by an electric pump overnight, and he’s got a special mask that helps his breathing at night and provides data directly to the hospital.”

Continued support from specialist hospitals, NHS staff and charitable foundations has been a huge part of Henry's life, enabling him to work towards completing his GCSEs and enroll in college to study Engineering or 3D Product Design.

“Henry is so resilient, and he's got an incredible work ethic. He's physically different to his peers but what he lacks in physicality he makes up for with a brilliant strength of character and sense of humour.”

Paul tirelessly trains and fundraises to thank those who care for his son, completing the Great South Run and so far raising more than ÂŁ3,000 for an upcoming London marathon attempt in April this year. 

So how does Paul handle fundraising, a busy home and professional life and being a coastguard? 

“Well, my marathon training’s been put back because I’ve been unwell over winter, but I’ll be taking the dog out and getting a few miles in,” he says.

“It's the NHS’s research and technology, their support, guidance and resources that have helped us get through. I want to pay it back.

“And the coastguard?  Well, it’s just in my blood. When I’ve had a challenging day teaching and I get home, go to bed, and then I get a shout, I’m programmed for it! Volunteering keeps me sane, and it’s so great being part of the HM Coastguard team. It’s a fascinating role.

Littlehampton CRO Paul Gill, wearing his HM Coastguard 'number ones'
Littlehampton CRO Paul Gill, wearing his HM Coastguard 'number ones'

“The Littlehampton team have always been incredibly supportive like a family. We’re all very like-minded here and we’ve just taken on some new recruits, so I’m looking forward to mentoring them! 

“The team have been there for me so I’m there for them. I just do what I do. I enjoy it, and invariably it involves helping people.” 

Paul’s kind-heartedness also saw him pen a booklet for parents of children with infant heart disease, which was picked up by a hospital foundation charity.  

When wind-down time comes, it’s a special family affair for the Gill household, who enjoy camping holidays in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. “Travel abroad isn’t easy for us so we invested heavily in camping kit, and we just love it. Time with our sons Henry and Teddy is so precious.”

It can’t ever be easy for coastguards to leave the safety of those they love and head towards danger, but Paul’s sons couldn’t be prouder of their dad. 

“I'm quite careful with what I say to my boys; if I go to a job that was particularly challenging, I'll put it in a way to them that makes them feel at ease. But they always know that I am out there helping. 

“Remembrance Day this year was the first opportunity to wear my new long service medal and my ‘number ones’ [formal uniform]. The boys were asking me about whether I could visit their schools! It was my proudest moment.

“When Henry hears my pager, he’s like, ‘Alright daddy, love you, be careful’. But even if I go out at 10pm, he'll stay up and wait for me to come home safe.” 

Coastguard Rescue Officer Paul Gill runs the London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025. 

 

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