Following the appeal for support for a sponsored walk around the Island last week, George sends through a report, in his own words. Ed
On-going efforts to raise funds for Cowes lifeboat station appeal will surely be no more gruelling than a walk around the coast of the Isle of Wight in gale force conditions.
Not surprisingly only three of the eight starters managed to complete the 67 mile anti-clockwise endurance test. Nevertheless, it is still expected that over £1,000 will have been raised, the money to be split between the lifeboat station appeal and London Air Ambulance.
Memorial walk for Heather’s sister
Among those who gainfully set out from the Royal Yacht Squadron, at Cowes, last Saturday (18 June) morning were two Cowes lifeboat crew members, Heather Lambden and her partner, Alisdair Boden. The walk had been conceived as a fitting memorial to Heather’s adventurous 27 year old sister, Lorna, a London paramedic who died suddenly last December.
Regretfully both Heather and Alisdair were among the five walkers who very reluctantly felt they just could not walk any further, when they reached Sandown, roughly two-thirds around the course.
“The walk was really tough, especially along the narrow coastal path on the south-west coast,” said Heather. “The 40 knot wind was really hammering us, and our situation was particularly hairy when on one side there was an electric fence and on the other a sheer drop down a high cliff.”
27 hours to complete walk
They and the other retirees could still muster enough strength to welcome the finishers at the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Cowes Castle on Sunday.
The successful trio, were Lorna’s partner and two of Lorna’s London friends. They had taken 27 hours to complete the walk, several hours longer than was optimistically forecast when the event was planned.
But the long walk was over – and all the eight could then think of was a long sleep and First Aid treatment to feet covered in blisters.
“Everyone involved deserves the highest praise for embarking on a walk like this in such arduous conditions,” said Cowes lifeboat operations manager, Mark Southwell. “Even getting as far as Sandown was quite remarkable.”
Show your support
People wishing to contribute to the round the Island challenge can donate online through a special web-page,
For more information please contact heather: [email protected], 07979 857 190
