Stormy Stan heads to the Scilly’s to support school's RNLI Mayday Mile
The Five Islands Academy school based on the Isles of Scilly were joined by RNLI mascot Stormy Stan as they answered the charity’s call for help. Kicking off their fundraising efforts by coming together to cover a mile for the RNLI Mayday campaign, helping lifesaving work continue around our coast.
The RNLI’s annual Mayday fundraiser began on 1 May and calls on supporters to join in by completing at least one mile in any way they wish. The call for help is to raise as much money as possible for the volunteer lifeboat crews working on our coastline.
Children from across Bryher, St Agnes, St Martin’s, St Mary’s and Tresco make up the Five Islands Academy, and all took part in a fundraising event on Wednesday 28 April. On St Mary’s, a mile was measured out on the school grounds in preparation for the challenge, equating to just over six laps of the school playing field. St Agnes students did a lap of their Island and St Martin's ran down to Lower Town Quay from their school to meet Stormy Stan. Pupils aged from 3 – 16 years old, took part in the event wearing fancy dress costumes and donated to the charity collection buckets, with two Year 11 students dressing up as seagulls.
Emily Banfield, a teacher from the Academy, spearheaded the organisation of the event,
‘We wanted to help raise money for the RNLI and especially since Covid, during which the lifeboat crews have still had to go out and save people no matter what. It’s lovely to be able to do something together as a school and we’ve managed to raise over £700 so far.’
As well as taking part in the school mile, individual pupils have created their own unique challenges. One pupil has committed to a covering a mile on a pogo-stick, another pupil will be rowing a mile and another hopping a mile. Mrs Banfield, whose husband is a volunteer on the RNLI lifeboat crew also organised a bake sale and a special guest appearance;
‘Some of the local RNLI volunteers have been amazing in helping me out with the fundraiser. Because of Covid we’ve had strict rules around keeping the event within the school, but they have baked lots of cakes for the bake sale to try and raise even more money. Parents have also helped with baking and donating.
Stormy Stan made a special effort to come and visit and everyone was so excited to see him! I think it’s the first time in around 10 years he’s been to the Isles of Scilly. He took a trip to all of our off-island bases with one of our lifeboat volunteer crew members Richard Mills, who kindly did the tour on his rib Endeavour for the charity. Coxswain Pete Hicks joined the adventure and answered lots of questions the children asked about the lifeboat and reminded them about the importance of water safety. Stormy loved receiving all of the off-island donations and was delighted at the number of children he saw.’
To donate to the Five Academy’s Mayday Mile fundraiser please click here.
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.