RNLI local crew tops UK fundraising table

Saturday 30 May 2020

Local volunteers from the RNLI and their families and friends have been walking over 1,000 miles this month to raise funds for the charity, with three of them topping the UK fundraising table.

In total, 19 islanders have joined the RNLI May Day challenge, an initiative the charity launched to help raise money while fundraising activities have been cancelled and essential funds are falling.

So far they have raised just over £4,100 so far, with three crew members, Simon, Mike and Josh Dearing, topping the UK’s fundraising table with £1,575, £636 and £547 respectively.

Pictured: Josh is a commercial fisherman.

A commercial fisherman at The Jersey Catch, Josh joined the RNLI last year. Having gone through his training he is now a fully-fledged member of the crew. He is now taking on more training to become a mechanic. 

“I have always understood the importance of the charity,” he explained. “If something happened to me at sea, it would be those guys that have to risk their lives and give their time and effort to save me. 

“I thought I might have a beneficial skill set and wanted to give something back, so I signed up.  It’s a massive community. They are lovely people and it’s nice to be part of something.”

Like many other members of the crew, Josh didn’t hesitate to take up the MayDay Challenge to help raise funds for the charity, which, like many others, has suffered a loss of funding.

“It’s been hard, we are hoping it won’t be long,” Josh said. “The whole of the island has suffered.”

While people have less to donate than they would normally, the charity is still having to pay for the fuel and maintenance of their three boats. 

Indeed, although the number of islanders going out on their boats has dwindled during lockdown, the crew are still answering calls. Recently, they came to the rescue of seven people whose boat was nearly sinking. 

To raise funds, Josh, who admits he is not a runner, has pledged to run 50 miles in May, while other members of the crew have been running or walking their own set distance and counting their steps.   

“We got to be outside with the crew” Josh explained. “It’s been keeping us all out and about while we are not able to exercise on the boat. It’s keeping us fit and getting us together.

“A lot of our supporters have been getting involved too. People have been giving generously, whatever they can during those times. The island has been behind it!” 

Pictured: From left, Simon, Mike and Josh.