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‘Source to Sea’ Fundraiser Ed Pratt Visits Gravesend RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Somerset adventurer Ed Pratt has become a viral sensation since starting his ‘Source to Sea’ 210 mile River Thames paddle on Saturday 29 June.

Adventurer Ed Pratt standing on Gravesend's orange lifeboat with RNLI Commander

RNLI/Gravesend

Adventurer Ed Pratt standing on Gravesend's Atlantic 85 with RNLI Commander Karla

Ed had previously cycled around the world on a unicycle, before starting his new challenge. Starting his journey in the Cotswolds wading through the Thames in a wetsuit before switching to a kayak, Ed has been uploading daily videos across his social media where he’s attracted millions of views.

Ed’s been navigating the UK’s busiest river alone, from pitching his tent on river banks, pub carparks and newly found fans offering their own homes. He set himself a rule in order to make progress he has to follow the course of the river exactly.

On Tuesday 16 July his penultimate day, Ed departed Erith in his kayak paddling below Kent’s iconic Queen Elizabeth II Bridge before arriving at Gravesend.

Thames Commander Karla Thresher said, ‘What Ed’s achieved over the last 18 days is sensational, it was a pleasure to welcome him to Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat Station, showing him our Atlantic 85 Lifeboat and offering our facilities to him for a quick refresher before pitching his tent for the night’

‘Ed’s final day from Gravesend to Sheerness will be the most hazardous yet, so far, he’s been treated to waters protected by locks and central Thames, whereas on day 19 he’ll experience sea like conditions, so it was a great opportunity to offer safety advise, show him his route on charts and point out potential hazards’.

‘Source to Sea’ paddler Ed Pratt said, ‘There's 18 miles between here and Sheerness, I need to get in just before high tide, push for six hours and hope I can get there before the tide turns’.

Ed’s journey has so far raised over £15,000 for The Rivers Trust, he’s expected to finish his incredible adventure at Sheerness on Wednesday 17 July.


Notes to Editor

Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Ashley Bard, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI [email protected]

Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager [email protected]

RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected]

Fundraiser Ed Pratt sitting at the wheel of Gravesend RNLI's orange lifeboat

RNLI/Gravesend

Fundraiser Ed Pratt sitting at the helm of Gravesend RNLI's lifeboat

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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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.