A man with strong links with the Isle of Wight is planning to take part in the London Marathon to raise funds for the £1-million Cowes RNLI lifeboat station appeal.
Crew members at lifeboat stations around the coast of the Isle of Wight , Hampshire and Sussex launched their lifeboats a total of 990 times in 2011, assisting a total of 1,054 people.
If you see Phil Packer walking around the Island today, give him a friendly wave or hoot of the car horn as he raises money and awareness for the British Inspiration Trust.
There has been a massive surprise boost to the £1-million appeal for the new Cowes lifeboat station, proposed for the old Custom House beside The Parade.
Engine trouble proved to be the final straw for two Isle of Wight men for whom a day's fishing aboard their 16 foot cabin cruiser in the Solent on Sunday produced just one small fish.
Progress towards the new RNLI lifeboat station for Cowes has been 'ramped up' this month after builders started work on constructing the new slipway for the crew's all important rescue missions.