Man rescued by Cromer RNLI starts fundraiser
Curtis Johnson and his dog Rex were rescued on July 6 and to say thanks he is swimming 20 miles to raise vital funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.
Only a few weeks ago Cromer RNLI launched its D class inshore lifeboat to come to the rescue of Curtis and his dog Rex.
The pair are not local to Cromer and Rex had jumped over the sea wall into a rough high tide, which resulted in Curtis going into the water to retrieve him.
Curtis explained: 'Due to the severity of the crashing waves of the North Sea and my inability to exit the water safely, HM Coastguards tasked the local volunteers at Cromer RNLI to come and rescue us.
'As a thank you I am going to be doing a 20 mile sponsored swim which equates to 1287 lengths of the kingfisher swimming pool in Sudbury over the next two weeks.
'Rex and I then plan to come to Cromer Lifeboat Station in person to meet those who rescued us and to present the fundraising cheque’.
Cromer RNLI Coxswain Paul Watling said: ‘We are so grateful to Curtis for sharing his story so we can highlight the importance of being safe by the sea.
'This was a very challenging situation for Curtis and Rex and the crew did a fantastic job in getting Curtis and Rex back to safety. We wish Curtis the best of luck in his swimming challenge and look forward to welcoming him and Rex to the station.'
This week the RNLI marked World Drowning Prevention Day and released figures showing that lifeboats in the North and East region launched 1,041 times last year saving 33 lives. Of those shouts, 156 were to help people in the water and 11 were to help dogs.
The charity's lifeguards launched 810 times, aiding 871 people and saving five lives.
To find out more and donate please see here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-rnli-for-the-rescue-of-curtis-and-rex
For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer:
[email protected] or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected]
Key facts about Cromer RNLI
The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
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.