Rescuees raise over £1200 for Swanage Lifeboat Station
After being rescued in June 2019 Claudia and Nicky were inspired to raise some money for Swanage RNLI to say thank you.
At their wedding they asked for donations for the volunteers at Swanage and last weekend Claudia and Nicky visited Swanage Lifeboat Station to present the lifeboat crew at Swanage with a cheque for £1216.60.
In June 2019 Claudia and Nicky set off from Studland Beach on their paddleboards. As they left the sheltered shoreline, they were rapidly swept out to sea by a strong offshore wind, and were unable to make it back to land. Both Swanage’s lifeboats launched, and they were recovered to the lifeboat over one mile offshore. This rescue featured on Saving Lives at Sea with video footage from the rescue showing how far away from land they ended up.
Deputy second coxswain Gavin Steeden said ‘I remember the rescue well, although the sun was shining, the wind was really strong, and we knew there was no way anyone would be able to make I back to shore on a paddleboard. With both Swanage’s lifeboats on route to their suspected location, we found them quickly and were able to get them aboard and inside to warm up. Thankfully they had a means to call for help and were able to contact family on the beach to raise the alarm.
Although shaken and tired from the incident, Claudia and Nicky were unhurt. The experience of being rescued, and learning first-hand the potential dangers of being at sea, has led to Claudia and Nicky to spend some of their time raising awareness about the RNLI. We are really grateful for their efforts and for raising such a great amount for us.’
Notes to Editors
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Photograph of Claudia Stanford, Gavin Steeden, Nicky Horton. Credit Becky Mack.
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