Local Lifeboat Crews Their Way Towards Fundraising Target

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With a helping hand from Olympic gold medal rower, Greg Searle

Chiswick and Teddington lifeboat crews raised over £10,500 towards the operation of RNLI lifeboats during the RNLI SOS day fundraising day held in Kingston’s Bentalls Centre. Donations poured in from direct support, on-line donations and from collections on the day.

Giving the crew a helping hand at the start was special guest, British Olympic gold medal-winning rower, Greg Searle. Currently with his sights firmly set on a comeback in the London 2012 Olympics, Greg was happy to lend his support to the lifeboat crews for their fundraising attempt.

Also present was Vince Kerrigan (pictured above), who collapsed last November after a veteran’s rowing race. He was revived by Chiswick Lifeboat Crew after he was found not breathing and with no pulse. Vince said “After they saved my life I am happy to support the RNLI’s fundraising events in anyway I can.”

Chiswick Lifeboat manager Wayne Bellamy said “During the rowing event it was clear that the public understood the service provided by the Thames RNLI Lifeboats, and their need for the generous support that shoppers gave them on that day. 28 crew members took part over 24 hours, suffering aches and pains in places they didn’t know they had, but it was great that they could see the benefit of their exertions from the enthusiastic public support”.

Supporters are invited to donate through www.justgiving.com/ChiswickRNLISOSday2010

February 3, 2010