October Newsletter:
Welcome to our October edition and we start things off as we promised you last month with a “Kili Update”. – YOU CAN FOLLOW THE CHALLENGE ON OUR WEBSITE HERE
As many will have read in the local press or online the Crew completed the fourth Challenge, an epic 60-mile row along the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Fort William. Although the Team put in plenty of practice Team Leader, Roger Good said “Nothing can really prepare you for the awesomeness of the Scotland’s lochs. The surrounding scenery is staggeringly beautiful, which helps distract you from the many hours pulling those very long gig oars”.
In addition to the rowing the team took the opportunity to climb Ben Nevis as Roger commented “It’s only a quarter the height of Kilimanjaro which we climb in February, but it’s still good practice and an opportunity not to be missed!!”
Kili Fundraising:
WeSUP:
In September the Stand-Up Paddleboard group organised an ambitious event, to gather 1,000 Paddleboarders in one place (Fishcombe) with Paddleboarders incrementally gathering together from Abbey Sands, Preston Beach, Paignton Beach, Goodrington, Broadsands and gathering as one group in Brixham. Unfortunately the weather turned against them, however Boarders did paddle from Goodrington and Broadsands gathering at Elbury Cove for photos of their efforts and Kili benefitted by £3,750 from event entry fees.
Kili Challenge:
The Row raised £1,400 and the latest overall figures show that £53,147 has been raised towards the target of £60k which is extremely promising and testament to the ambitions and efforts of the whole crew and their supporters. The next Challenge before the Kili Climb itself is a Drive around all the South West Lifeboat Stations. The plan was to do this around the UK but the current price of fuel makes this unfeasible. Don’t forget we can continue to donate at justgiving.com/campaign/RNLITorbayKili23
A special Kili Quiz Night is scheduled for Wed 18 January (to be confirmed) at the Brixham Yacht Club so please do come along and pit your wits against other like-minded folks and continue the fundraising!!
Fundraising Events:
“Team Stamp On It”, a team of Royal Mail Postal workers from the Torquay area recently completed the famous “Three Peaks Challenge” where the team climbed Ben Nevis in the Cairngorms, Scafell Pike in the Lake District before Mount Snowdon in Snowdonia, Wales. On Monday 3 Oct the Team visited our Lifeboat Station where they handed a cheque for £5,914 over to Coxswain Mark Criddle, This is just another example of how the RNLI nationally and TLF locally is revered by the public and people like the “posties”.
More info here
“Hoopers Fashion Show”
The last time we worked with Hoopers was in 2019 before “you know what” and as this year Hoopers are celebrating their 40th Anniversary they approached us with a view to organising another Fashion Show. For a few months Sue Swallow worked closely with Trudi Knapman, Store Manager to bring the event to fruition, 100 tickets were printed and we both put 50 each up for sale at £10 per ticket.
Hoopers just edged our sales with 49 against our 45 but it wasn’t really a competition and those sales brought in £940 then, on the night an array of great raffle prizes realised a further £329 so a grand total of £1,269 was the result of a very, very entertaining evening. Hoopers really do look after us so well (and sell such quality fashion items).
“Talks” at Brixham Rugby Club:
To try to fill the voids left by lack of CTF and Souvenir Stalls during the Autumn/Winter we have a series of Talks/presentations in October/November and February with possibly more before the current Programme ends.
This month sees Wendy Richards-Wood the Community Engagement officer from Teignmouth Lifeboat Station with her presentation of “Women of the RNLI”. I have seen this presentation at Brixham’s Probus Club and it really is very interesting. Wednesday 19 October talk starts at 2.30pm £5 on the door with refreshments following Wendy’s talk.
In November local historian and musician/songwriter Mike Holgate will entertain us musically about “Brixham Maritime Villians”
Coffee Mornings: Wed 12 October sees us at Brixham’s “Old Market House” 10-12 Noon, Raffle, but as previously advised the “Cakes Team” are away on deserved breaks but that “service” will return at Churston Golf Club on Wed 9 November.
Christmas Lunch: Please don’t delay in sending Barbara Smithson your Menu choices and payment for this year’s event in December. You can leave your envelopes in the Middle St Shop, I am holding them pending Barbara’s return from holiday.
Lynn Spillett: Some of you may recall mention being made that invitations to Her Majesty’s Funeral in Westminster Abbey would include some of those Honoured by Her Majesty in this year’s Queen’s Birthday awards. And yes, Lynn was invited and told me how honoured she felt and found herself rubbing shoulders with many “luminaries” including US President Joe Biden and wife Jill.
Another future reflection in the history of Torbay Lifeboat Fundraisers.
Kind Regards
Peter
Torbay Lifeboats 