Rachael Cooke walks the South West Coast Path for the RNLI
Rachael has planned, during July this year, to walk part of The South West Coast path starting from South Haven Point, finishing in Lyme Regis to raise money for the RNLI, with the option of going on to Seaton if she can
This will be comparable with walking the length of the Dorset county, entering the South Devon.
She is aiming to walk 14-16 miles per day, over five days covering a total of around 43hrs walking, which is 87 miles/140km.Rachael will carry everything she needs such as food, tent, sleeping bag, water, clothes etc in a large hiking bag everyday and camp each night.
Forecasted dates are: 12 July - 16 July 2021. Start time: 7am.
Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteer Press Officer Mike Lang says; ‘The RNLI is anticipating an unprecedented demand this summer due to the number of families taking staycations within the UK, and visiting our coastlines, whilst Covid 19 has adversely affected our ability to fundraise. We, at Burnham-on-Sea wholeheartedly support Rachael’s initiative.
Rachael adds on her Facebook page: ‘I have set up a Justgiving page and would be really grateful if anybody would be happy to sponsor me, I know it’s been difficult times lately so even if it is just £1 it would be appreciated, it all adds up!’
Just giving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rachael-cooke4
Below are examples of what the money could go towards for the RNLI:
£25: Seagoing gloves to protect a crew member's hands in all weathers, keeping them warm and dry, and providing a sure grip when handling the lifeboat and rescue equipment.
£55: High performance boots with superb grip, reinforced shanks and steel toecaps to protect our lifeboat crew members against injury.
£85: Two Red and Yellow flags. Lifeguards use these to indicate safe swimming areas on the beaches they patrol. Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
£100: will buy a pair of binoculars to keep people safe on the beach.
£260: Helmets to protect lifeboat crew members from the worst conditions the sea can throw at them. It can be fitted with vital communication equipment so those onboard can keep in touch – even during a howling storm.
£86,000: D Class inshore Lifeboat. Highly maneuverable, these fast rescue craft are perfect for rescues close to shore, near cliffs and rocks, and even in caves.’
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Images with this release:
File name: Rachael Cooke (Supplied by Rachael)
Rachael, in her fine weather walking kit, ready to start!
File name: Doris Day and Brian (RNLI/Mike Lang)
A recent library picture of Doris Day and Brian launching off Burnham Jetty in a strong onshore breeze just before sunset.
Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:
A 7.5m Atlantic 75 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.
Note During 2019 the RNLI was facing a ‘perfect storm’, with a reduced income and an increase in demand for it’s services. During 2020 and 2021, in the midst of a global pandemic, fundraising has been severely reduced by a national lockdown, yet the lifeboats have still been launched 24/7 in their strategy to save lives at sea.
Click this link to donate; https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/summer-appeal
RNLI media contacts
For more information about this release please telephone Mike Lang, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07889 815860 or email [email protected],
In the absence of the above, contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) Tel: 07920 818 807, [email protected].
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press
For details about Burnham-on-Sea RNLI activities, please visit www.burnham-on-searnli.org.uk
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.