Articles Exmouth RNLI volunteer’s Eddystone pursuit

Exmouth RNLI volunteer’s Eddystone pursuit

Exmouth RNLI volunteer’s Eddystone pursuit

Volunteer Deputy Launching Authority, Dave Ashman has raised £570 for Exmouth RNLI made up from sponsorship and prize money. He was also part of a South West RNLI team of five boats which finished second and raised a total of £8,081 for the charity that saves lives at sea.

In his Trapper 300 named Sun Trapper, Dave and two other crew members began the sailing race at 9.30am on Saturday 18 August from Plymouth. 72 boats took part in the 26 mile return course to Hand Deeps Buoy, off Eddystone Rocks. Sun Trapper came tenth overall and won £225 in prize money. The rest of the donation comprised of pledged sponsorship through the internet, the RNLI shop and the Exe Sailing Club.

In addition, he also participated in a team event in which a group of boats from the charity’s south west region took second prize adding a further £750.

Dave is already planning his sponsorship campaign for next year and said:

‘This was a unique event and allows fundraisers through the medium of sailing to increase their sponsorship money substantially to their chosen charity.’

‘It was a difficult day for sailing – we started off in fog and the breeze decreased all day making the duration time a lot longer than anticipated. The sea state was uncomfortable and one of my crew was very sick. However, completing the race gave me and my crew a great deal of satisfaction and I would like to thank all those who have supported me in this event.’

 

Author: ian_taylor@rnli.org.uk