
Ramsgate RNLI Fishing Competition is a great success.
An overcast day greeted the excited children on Friday morning as registration took place for the annual RNLI Junior Fishing Competition.
In its fifth year, this is the brain child of volunteer RNLI crew Jason Parrott and his wife Dawn. The event is free to enter, the only requirement is that a child tries to raise sponsorship for the RNLI. Every child receives a present of a rod and reel, as well as a tee shirt and a goody bag donated by local companies making a great day out during the school holidays.
The fishing charter boats give their time, fuel and skills free, flying an RNLI flag as they headed out along the coast in search of fish. Boats had even come from Dover and Rye to take part in the event. The wider community also support the event providing rods, bait, and fishing boxes for the children as well as donating raffle prizes. Vattenfall, the wind farm company had given a large donation to the event as well as providing goodies.
When the sixteen fishing charter boats returned with the eighty children at two o’clock, the sun had made an appearance and a party atmosphere prevailed at the RNLI station as a DJ played party tunes, donating his time free of charge.
Family members of the crew as well as friends came along to help, to cook bbq’s, or donated raffle prizes, and made and sold cakes.
The volunteers from the Ramsgate RNLI shop set up a stall which did a roaring trade as everyone wanted to show their support.
The Mayor of Ramsgate Pat Moore also attended the event and presented the prizes to the winners.
It takes many hands to run an event of this size, but the largest thanks go to Jason and Dawn Parrott who have run this event for five years now. It is testament to their generosity of spirit that the event has grown significantly from when they first started.
The prizes went to the following:
3rd place Boys - Aiden on Bonwey
2nd place Boys - Wade Ferrier on River Runner
1st place Boys - Yefym on Hussler
3rd place Girls - Alisha Watson on Dominator
2nd place Girls- Lilly Crawford on Taxi Boat
1st place Girls - Jessica on Taxi Boat
Top Fishing Boat went to skipper Bob of Hussler
The John Parrott and Gary Dunk shield, named in memory of Dawn and Jason’s fathers and given to the child who stood out as the most helpful and caring was awarded to Riley Williams.
The trophy for the biggest fish at 8lb went to Alisha Watson who wanted to give her sister credit for helping her land it.
An RNLI spokesperson said,’ It is wonderful to see the whole community coming together for this event. The children have been taught a new skill in fishing, a hobby that takes place in the fresh air and they have been provided with the equipment to continue with it. It’s lovely to see!’
Karen Cox Lifeboat Press Officer Tel 07779848431 Email [email protected]
Paul Dunt RNLI Regional Media Officer London and South East Tel 07785296252 Email [email protected]
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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