Falmouth RNLI volunteer takes fundraising to the ends of the earth
Lifeboat Visits Team member Yvonne Colgan has recently returned from sailing on the Bark Europa, the last square rigger to sail in Antarctica, and donated £800 to Falmouth RNLI which she raised for doing the voyage.
Yvonne is fond of the sea and a keen sailor but, until now, she has consciously avoided mast and bowsprit climbs. However, three months of pre-trip training helped her pass the fitness test required to climb the ship’s rigging during the voyage which included the Drake Passage and Antarctica.
Yvonne said: ‘I am not very keen on heights but I set myself a challenge to train and pass the test. Fortunately, I made it and did lots of climbing during the voyage.’
Yvonne presented the donation to Deputy Coxswain Dave Nicoll at Falmouth Lifeboat Station recently. Dave, who is also the RNLI’s Fundraising and Partnership Lead for the South West Region, thanked Yvonne and said:
‘This was a fantastic effort by Yvonne, overcoming her aversion to heights and raising an amazing amount of money for the charity. This will directly help our volunteer crew save lives at sea.’
RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971986978 or [email protected] or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer [email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.