Cardiff divers to carry kayak ten miles in RNLI fundraising challenge

On Sunday 3 May, divers from the local SCUBA club will set off from Penarth Lifeboat Station, walking ten gruelling miles with a two-person kayak, via Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, before finishing at the RNLI Visitor Centre on the prom at Barry Island.

The demanding four-hour route will take the fundraisers through Penarth, Sully and into Barry, with the team of two groups of six carrying the kayak for the entire distance.

Steve Lloyd, Club Chairman from Cardiff BSAC, said:

‘We wanted to organise a challenging fundraiser for the RNLI and show support to the volunteers from our local lifeboat stations at Penarth and Barry Dock. The crews are always there ready to answer the call for help and save lives at sea.

‘The kayak we’ll be carrying has been generously supplied by Cardiff Bay Kayaking, and I can assure you it’s bulky and awkward – especially as the hours go by and we start to tire.’

Sara Siddall, a volunteer at Penarth RNLI said:

‘As a charity we rely entirely on public donations and the dedication of our volunteers to save lives at sea. We’re delighted that Cardiff BSAC have chosen to fundraise for us and support our lifesaving work.

‘We’ll be hosting the start-line of their challenge from our lifeboat station, bright and early on the morning of Sunday 3 May at 9am. Wishing them well and hopefully dry weather for the challenge ahead.’

Steve continued:

‘This is going to be a tough challenge, carrying a heavy kayak for ten miles is no small task as well as the hills to contend with along the way. We recently did a practice walk in wet and blustery conditions, but we’re a positive bunch and remained upbeat.

‘If RNLI crews are prepared to launch into raging storms, we can certainly cope with a bit of rain. Besides, we’re SCUBA divers… we’re used to getting wet.

‘A bit of rain is nothing compared to what RNLI crews face when they launch into dangerous conditions to save lives at sea. We’re determined to complete the challenge and raise as much money as possible for this vital cause.’

The group are expecting to reach their finish line near the RNLI Visitor Centre in Barry Island at approximately 2pm.

Avril Kitchen, Head of Fundraising for Barry’s RNLI Visitor Centre said:

‘We’d love people to come down and be part of the atmosphere, cheer the team over the finish line and show their support for an incredible challenge.

‘We’ll have stalls outside the RNLI Visitor Experience and shop – next to the yellow wellie - and of course there will be cake, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy while supporting a great cause!

‘Barry Island will be buzzing over the bank holiday, and you can enjoy performances from Pukka Productions Theatre School, the Pitch Perfect Wellbeing Choir, as well as other activities and a nearby music festival adding to the day. It’s set to be a brilliant day out for families and visitors alike.

‘All money raised from the event will go directly to the RNLI, helping to fund our lifeboats, water safety education, equipment and training of the volunteer crews, who are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.’

Notes to editors:

• Interviews are available on request.
• Approx. event times: Walk starting from Penarth Lifeboat Station at 9am and finishing at RNLI Visitor Centre in Barry Island at 2pm.
• Donate to the fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cardiff-bsac

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information, please contact Lisa Newberry, Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected]

Alternatively, please contact Betsy Owen, Regional Communications Placement on 07483 485378 or email [email protected] . Or you can contact the Press Office on [email protected] or 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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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.