All logo's have been reproduced with kind permission of the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution - Registered Charity Number 209603 (UK)
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RNLI Crew Training Appeal
If you would like to make a donation in support of
my ride, please make cheques payable to 'RNLI' and include a note
saying it's for the:- The address is; RNLI South West, Regional Fundraising Office, Unit A, Longacre, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6LZ. All donations, however small, will add up to a big total and are very much appreciated. Thank you. Please read the below paragraphs as it will give you an insight into why the RNLI needs your support. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution When people get into difficulties on or near the water, they call on the RNLI. And since 1824, when it was founded as the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck, their lifeboats have saved over 136,000 lives. However, they can only carry out their lifesaving work thanks to the fundraising efforts and generosity of the general public. This is because they are independent of the Government, relying solely on voluntary contributions and legacies for income. In fact their supporters, including me and you, donate a staggering £300,000 per day it takes to run their essential service. Without these donations, they simply couldn't continue with their 7,700 or so launches every year. Rescues out as far as 100 nautical miles from the UK's coasts (including the Republic of Ireland) regularly take place using any of the 330 lifeboats from some 233 lifeboat stations. In addition some 4800 lifeboat crewmembers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - ready to drop everything and risk their lives to save others. The crewmembers are volunteers who don't get paid for the vital service they provide. What they do get, however, is the best boats, equipment and training to carry out their lifesaving work. The RNLI have recently launched 'The Lifeboats Crew Training Appeal' and this is what I am supporting. Gone are the days when the only skills needed by Lifeboat crewmembers were the ability to pull an oar and handle a sail. Nowadays less than 10% boast a professional nautical background, yet boats and equipment have become increasingly sophisticated. That's why training is so important - and the skills their crews need are extensive. But training costs time and money - whether carried out at sea or in the classroom - either in one of the RNLI's mobile training units or at the training college in Poole. It costs on average £1000 a year to train and maintain the standard of qualifications needed by a crewmember. For more information please go to www.rnli.org.uk or www.rnli.org.uk/crewtraining
A couple of years ago I did a
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course for sail and power craft. And
having taken the exam and attained the Qualification, I now know how
complicated the sea can be and how necessary it is to know what
you're doing.
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All logo's have been reproduced with kind permission of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Registered Charity Number 209603 (UK)
