RNLI lifeguards to paddle over eight miles to raise money for the charity
Six RNLI lifeguards are paddling from Tregantle beach in Whitsand Bay to Looe harbour to raise funds for a new rescue board
On Sunday 19 August, Thomas Joutsikoski, Becca Annells, Sophie Conway, Louis Seedhouse, Joseff Saunders and Emily Wells will be using RNLI rescue boards to paddle from Tregantle beach to Looe harbour. The design of the rescue boards being used means the lifeguards will be relying solely on their upper body strength to propel them the gruelling eight and a half miles.
The lifeguards are training either before or after work at least once a week in preparation for the challenge by paddling to and from local beaches.
The money raised from the challenge is being put toward a new rescue board. The rescue boards cost around £900 each and are essential pieces of equipment for the lifeguards.
Jake Marshall, RNLI lifeguard supervisor for the area and organiser of the event, said:
‘The lifeguards are using rescue boards for this challenge in part because of the distance from Tregantle to Looe but also because they’re one of our most useful pieces of kit. This is also why we wanted to put the funds raised towards a new one.
As a charity, the RNLI is reliant on donations to equip us with the kit we need to carry out our lifesaving service. To support the lifeguards in this challenge, donations can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jake-marshallrnli.’
Key facts about the RNLI
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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