Michaela from Ryde Inshore Rescue gives us an update on how successful Go Orange Day was. Ed
On Friday 18th February 2011 the Isle of Wight turned Orange for the day in aid of the three independent lifeboat stations based at Ryde, Freshwater and Sandown.
We’d like to thank everyone for their support, the total figure raised on the day was in excess of £15,000!
Grateful for every penny
In 2010 we managed to raise £11,000 between the three of us, which for small grassroots organisations was fantastic.
In the current climate we were hoping we may get near that figure but to actually raise so much more was just amazing.
The units would like to send out one big thank you to everyone that supported in one way or another; be it those that took the time to publicise the event, organise an event on the day or simply popped their change into one of the many collectors pots that were out and about round the Island on the day.
The money raised will help keep these voluntary units afloat for another 12 months, where all are expecting a busy season with the removal of the Council lifeguards.
Personal thank you
On a personal note I would like to thank the volunteer crews of each unit who took the day off work to support the event and raise money for their own unit.
As everyone knows now, none of these units have a big fundraising team to raise money on their behalf and it falls to the same volunteers who go out and carry out the rescues to bring the funds in. Without their dedication none of these lifeboat units would still be standing!
In 2012 the event will once again be held on the Friday before half term which is Friday 10th February!
