The RNLI Print E-mail

WIN OVER £5000 WORTH OF QUALITY SEA KAYAKING EQUIPMENT AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE RNLI.       

An expedition like this requires more than just the physical challenge and the temptation of records to maintain momentum and motivation.  By filming the expedition we hope to inspire all outdoor enthusiasts to push their limits a little. More importantly we are out to raise funds in aid of the RNLI. An organisation that has no central government funding and relies entirely on charitable donations to maintain the service that makes on average twenty one rescues a day.  Last year that equated to 8000 people rescued. 

Why raise money for the RNLI?  ‘’They are already the richest charity in the UK’’ is a common response.  There is no doubt they have a strong and effective fund raising team but the media reports of their riches were based solely on the fact they hold more of their annual turnover in reserve than other charities. Not on the actual annual turnover.  If donations were to stop today the RNLI would cease to function in just seven months time.  Replacing one of their Severn Class all weather lifeboats would incur a bill of £2 million.  They need the financial reserves to ensure that their excellent service is maintained.   

As sea kayakers both Mick and I have both been casual contributors to the RNLI. Not for one minute thinking we were ever going to require their services.  The truth is, however competent, all those who use the sea and waterways, whether professionally or recreationally, might need emergency assistance at some time.  In our case it was a combination of three factors all going against us in the space of a couple of hours.   Sickness, injury, an un-forecast change in wind direction and speed. All this meant we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. 35 kilometres north of Cape Wrath making less than 2 kilometres an hour towards the mainland, with the tide about to turn against us.  Simple calculations told us we were in trouble and although calling the emergency services is never easy it was the best decision we made that day.     

Our rescue was slick, professional, embarrassingly well publicised, but totally non judgemental.  The coxswains and the volunteer crew members willingly put their lives on the line for us and the least we can do is to recognise this and help support them. There are serious risks involved with our Faroes trip.  We are well aware of that and have learnt a huge amount from previous expeditions, previous mistakes.  Our training continues and we believe we have taken all steps to limit the risks involved.  We hope that with the assistance of the media our exploits will raise the awareness of the RNLI and their work and all the money we can raise will go towards the training of volunteers and their current campaign  TRAIN ONE TO SAVE MANY. 

All donations are welcome and can be made through www.justgiving.com/paddlefaroes or a cheque made payable to the RNLI can be sent to:

 

RNLI, Scotland

Unit 3  Ruthvenfield Grove

Inveralmond Industrial Estate

Perth

PH1 3GL

Please include the following reference - Paddle Faroes 

 

For those of you who require a little temptation before opening your wallet WE HAVE IT.   All of the companies that have generously supplied equipment for the expedition have also kindly donated essential items to a prize fund that is on offer to whoever gets closest to predicting the time it will take to paddle from Stornoway to The Faroe Isles.  A total distance of 420 kilometres.