Port Talbot RNLI crew take on a challenge
A group of Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat crew members recently undertook a 21.5m combined kayak and bike ride for the Mayday fundraising appeal.
The group of nine started from Aberavon beach at 9.30am to kayak to Knab Rock in Mumbles, escorted by a safety boat manned by other crew members. Due to the tidal conditions the course taken was in a slight arc following the coastline. The kayaks arrived at Mumbles after three hours, to be met by other crew members who had transported the bikes across.
After a short rest the crews started out on their bikes at 1pm to return to the Port Talbot RNLI lifeboat station. They arrived at 2.45pm, exhausted but pleased that they had completed their journey without mishap.
The fundraising effort by the crew had been going on for for a few weeks with family and friends making donations. The total amount raised came to £600 for the Mayday appeal.
The RNLI's Mayday campaign ran for the whole month of May and called on people to ‘do their bit, fund our kit’, with the lifesaving charity hoping to raise £750,000 to fund the crucial kit volunteer crews rely on, like lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s iconic yellow willies.
Port Talbot RNLI Deputy Launching Authority Rob Harris said: 'This was a job well done and all those who took part can be proud of their achievment.'
Notes to editors:
The attached pictures, which should be credited RNLI/Mel Cooper, show:
- On their bikes: The Port Talbot RNLI fundraisers getting ready to return to Port Talbot
- Kayakers getting close to Knab Rock
For more information please contact Mel Cooper, Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07917 521123 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].
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The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
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