Falmouth RNLI benefits from over a decade of support from Helford Regatta
Members of the Helford Passage Regatta committee presented Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston with a cheque for £2400 during a visit to the lifeboat station recently.
The money was raised during this year’s Helford Passage Regatta held on 4 August and is part of a total slightly in excess of £16,100 donated to Falmouth RNLI over the last 11 years. The Regatta started as an event in 1982 with rowing and beach sports races just for fun, set up by the Ferry Boat Inn to provide entertainment for holidaymakers and locals alike. Over the years, the pub introduced various fundraising ideas and then in 2007 the current committee took over running the Regatta and began to fundraise for the RNLI.
Tina Walker, Regatta Chair and Treasurer said: ‘With most of the Regatta's events being water-based, and so many locals and visitors regularly going out on the water, everyone felt the beneficiary of the fundraising should be the RNLI - in recognition of the year-round commitment and bravery shown by the volunteer crews protecting all water-users whether for work or play.’
The Regatta runs a huge number of free events on the day, with an annual theme for the kids' fancy dress competition - this year being Kings and Queens! The crowds come to join in all the races on the beach and the water, cheering on the tense battles between Tug of War teams. All the money is raised through voluntary donations, fabulous prizes generously donated by local businesses and families for the raffle and tombola, and all the delicious cakes baked for our renowned cake stall.
Falmouth’s Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat Eve Pank crewed by Jonathon Hackwell (Helm); Tamara Brookes and Chris Simpson attended the event and Tina explained: ‘The RNLI themselves help out with the fundraising by drawing spectators to the Regatta and the annual display by the inshore lifeboat remains a highlight of the day and a firm favourite.’
She added: ‘We are so grateful to all those who generously donate their time, the prizes or spend their money to make the day such a success and we are delighted to be presenting Falmouth RNLI £2400 this year.’
Helford Passage Regatta committee members Tina Walker; Martin Winters and Ailsa Yates presented the cheque to Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston on board Falmouth’s Severn class all-weather lifeboat Richard Cox Scott during their visit to the station. He said: ‘This was an amazing effort by the Regatta committee and on behalf of Falmouth RNLI, I would like to thank the committee for this money and also their ongoing support.’
Notes to editors
- Photo left to right: Martin Winters; Tina Walker; Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Jonathon Blakeston and Ailsa Yates. Credit: RNLI/Simon Culliford
For more information please contact: Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971986978, [email protected]; or Emma Haines Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847, [email protected] ; or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
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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