Portsmouth Boots Up for RNLI’s Massive Mayday Fundraiser!
Volunteer Crews Rally for Lifesaving Gear
Portsmouth’s brave RNLI volunteer crews teamed up with Hayling Island lifeboat teams and RNLI lifeguards this weekend for the charity’s flagship national fundraiser – Mayday. The campaign, urging everyone to ‘Do your bit fund our kit,’ is on a mission to raise a whopping £750,000. The money pays for vital lifesaving gear, including life jackets, helmets, and the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies.
The Great RNLI Mayday Welly Relay Hits Portsmouth
The highlight of Mayday is the RNLI Mayday Welly Relay, and this year Portsmouth and Hayling lifeboat crews took centre stage. The legendary welly made its way along the UK coast, passing from Portishead Lifeboat Station all the way to Harwich Lifeboat Station.
After arriving via the RNLI Bembridge lifeboat on the Isle of Wight and the Portsmouth-Isle of Wight passenger hovercraft, the inshore lifeboat crew from Portsmouth grabbed hold of the welly and brought it ashore at Southsea Beach. They then paraded the giant boot along the sand with Stormy Stan, the RNLI’s beloved mascot, adding to the fun.
The welly was then handed to RNLI lifeguards, who paddled it down the seafront before passing it back to Portsmouth’s crew.
Spinnaker Tower Lights Up as Boot Passes On
The next day, Portsmouth and Hayling Island lifeboats joined forces under the iconic Spinnaker Tower to pass the giant boot on to Hayling’s crew, who will escort it to the next stop on its epic journey.
To top off a brilliant day of fundraising, the Spinnaker Tower was bathed in a glowing yellow light, lighting up Portsmouth’s skyline and shining a bright spotlight on the Mayday cause.
Fundraising Fun and a Setback
“It really was a great weekend and very energetic!” said Portsmouth Lifeboat Press Officer Aaron Gent. “It was a real team effort with the crews from Portsmouth and Hayling coming together, plus the lifeguards on the beach.”
“Stormy Stan running along the seafront was brilliant to see, and the kids on the beach loved it. We even raised over £200 from collecting buckets alone.”
“The only setback was a planned abseil down the 560ft Spinnaker Tower, which had to be cancelled due to high winds, but it will be rescheduled soon.”
From welly relays to lighting up iconic landmarks, Portsmouth’s RNLI crews showed how they do their bit to keep UK shores safe – and it’s all for a cracking cause!
