Jasper completes RNLI Mayday Mile – by taking dinghy for a walk!
When the RNLI asked members of the public to join in its ‘Mayday Mile’ fundraising event, young sailor Jasper thought he could support the campaign by taking his dinghy with him for a walk, to raise money for his local lifeboat station.
11 year old Jasper Focardi Dolling, from Cyfronydd near Welshpool, not only managed to pull his dinghy five miles but he also raised more than £550. Jasper sails his Topper dinghy at Aberdovey Yacht Club and is also currently training with the Welsh Topper Squad.
Jasper said: ‘Whenever I go sailing in Aberdyfi I have to pull my dinghy past the lifeboat station in order to launch it and I thought that helping to raise money for the RNLI would be a great thing to do. Pulling my dinghy five miles was hard work but good fun and it was great to be joined by the crew of the Aberdyfi Lifeboat for the final leg of my challenge.’
Kate Stevens, a Helm on the Aberdyfi Lifeboat, said: ‘Well done Jasper, what a great effort. I remember when Jasper first started sailing we had to help him pull his dinghy up the slipway. Now he’s returned the favour by raising more than £550 for the RNLI. A huge thank-you and well done from everyone at Aberdyfi Lifeboat Station.’
In preparation for the busy summer period, the RNLI are putting out their own urgent Mayday call, by asking supporters to take part in The Mayday Mile. Whether you choose to swim it, run it, cycle it, dance it or simply walk it, The Mayday Mile challenges you to cover one mile in any way you like between Saturday 1 May – Monday 31 May, whilst raising vital funds to ensure RNLI Lifesavers can continue to keep people safe at the coast.
To sign up and log your miles – or to simply make a donation to support the Mayday campaign, visit RNLI.org/SupportMayday. You can also share your story and join the conversation on social media by using hashtag #MyMaydayMile.
Notes to editor
In the attached photos:
· Jasper Focardi Dolling (red T shirt).
· Aberdyfi RNLI crew members: Abi Hinton, Sam Nichol, Morgan Lumley & Will Richards
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.