Usually, the lifesavers of Cowes RNLI Station answer mayday calls – it’s the most serious call for help. But this May, it’s they who need YOUR help. The station is now putting on a Mayday fundraiser and 999 day to raise vital funds.
The event and fundraiser will take place on the Parade in Cowes on Saturday 3rd May. Families, children and people of all ages can come down and learn about the work of some of the island’s emergency services.
Open to visitors
Cowes RNLI station will be open to visitors, and, subject to operational requirements, voluntary services will be displaying vehicles and equipment.
Crew and lifeboats from Cowes’ flanking stations, Yarmouth RNLI and Calshot RNLI will be in attendance, along with other local independent inshore lifeboats. RNLI mascot, Stormy Stan, will be on hand for pictures, hugs and high-fives.
The Isle of Wight’s three coastguard teams will attend: Needles, Ventnor and Bembridge CRT. Cowes Fire Station will attend with their pump, alongside St Johns Ambulance Service and Wight Dolphins Diving group.
Running the Mayday Mile
As is tradition, Cowes RNLI volunteer boat crew will run their own Mayday Mile at midday. The crew will start outside the lifeboat station and run a relay across the Parade, donning pieces of their kit along the way, including dry-suits, life jackets and helmets, and carrying the RNLI’s ‘Dead Fred’ training dummy on a stretcher.
The relay will end at the lifeboat station, where crew members will have a chance to catch their breath before demonstrating some lifeboat skills with a rescue demonstration off the parade.
Show your support
Supporters will be on hand along the route with collection buckets. Money raised through Mayday fundraising events like this one will make sure that RNLI lifesavers have everything they need to keep families safe this summer.
Every second counts when the water turns against you, and RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews will drop whatever they’re doing when a call for help comes in.
Timeline:
- 10:30am Coast Guard demonstration: throwing lines and water rescue kit on public slipway.
- 11:00am arrival of Yarmouth and Calshot lifeboats.
- 12:00 Midday May Day Mile relay race.
- 1:00pm RNLI Diver recovery demonstration inside trinity.
- 2:30pm Joint RNLI and Coastguard water rescue demonstration.
We look forward to seeing you on the Parade on Saturday 3rd May.
News shared by Sofia on behalf of Cowes RNLI. Ed
