A Bridgend community has come together to remember a father who died in a motorcycle collision in May, with relatives, friends and colleagues completing an extraordinary fundraising challenge in his memory.
Crash in May left a void for young family
Robert Curl, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision on the B4265 Wick Road on Friday 22 May. Emergency services were called at about 3pm following reports of a crash involving a Suzuki motorcycle and a red Toyota Yaris.
Those who knew him say his death has left a "profound void", not least for his two young children who, friends and family say, "adored their dad" and must now face life without him. Colleagues and community members have rallied to support the family while grieving a man described as devoted and generous.
Community endurance fundraiser at Pen-y-Fan
To raise money for Rob's family, those closest to him undertook a gruelling physical challenge on Tuesday 25 August: attempting to climb Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in south Wales, ten times within 24 hours. The event drew family, friends, workmates and members of the communities where Rob spent much of his working life.
The fundraiser was organised by one of Rob's closest friends, Paul Huxtable, 44, from Pontypridd. Paul paid tribute to Rob's character and commitment to others, saying Rob would always put friends and family first.
"Rob was one of my best friends, I knew him for many years. You know when people say certain individuals are a 'larger than life' character? Well, he really was. The best way I can sum him up, at the top of my head, is that he would do anything for his friends and family, and he had the heart of a lion, especially for his children."
Years of public service in south Wales
Rob worked for a number of years as a police community support officer (PCSO) with South Wales Police. During his service he worked in several communities, including Port Talbot, Ely and Fairwater, and was noted by those who organised the fundraiser for his particular devotion to the Ely community, where he built lasting relationships with residents.
Organisers said the climb was not only a test of physical endurance but also a chance for people from across Rob's life to come together and honour his memory while raising funds to help his children with the future.
- Victim: Robert Curl, aged 37
- Date of collision: Friday 22 May
- Location: B4265 Wick Road
- Vehicles involved: Suzuki motorcycle and red Toyota Yaris
- Fundraiser: Pen-y-Fan climbed 10 times within 24 hours on 25 August
- Organiser: Paul Huxtable, 44, Pontypridd
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 |
| Incident date | 22 May |
| Fundraiser date | 25 August |
For a town like Bridgend and the neighbouring communities Rob served, the loss of someone known for his outreach work and personal warmth has been keenly felt. The fundraising effort provided a practical means of channeling grief into support for his children and offered a public demonstration of the esteem in which he was held.
Those involved in the Pen-y-Fan challenge described a strong sense of solidarity on the mountain, with participants drawn from different parts of Rob's life. The climb was framed not only as a sporting test but also as a communal act of remembrance and an appeal to the wider public to help the family left behind.
Local residents wishing to offer further support or to learn more about the fundraising activity are encouraged to follow the organisers' updates through community channels and social media, where details of donations and tributes have been shared.
The memory of a man who combined public service with a close devotion to family and friends will remain a part of the communities he served, and the fundraising challenge on Pen-y-Fan stood as a visible tribute to that legacy.
