St Asaph RNLI lifeboat staff lose weight to raise funds

Dec 10 2008 by Justine Bailey, Denbigh Visitor

SIX workmates from the RNLI’s Divisional Base in St Asaph are throwing their colleagues a lifeline by losing the equivalent weight of 25 liferings.

The staff, who support more than 1,000 volunteers around the Welsh coast, have unveiled their ambitious plans to exchange lbs for pounds in support of RNLI SOS Day – the charity’s biggest annual fundraising day.

Tucking into the 10 stone sponsored challenge are RNLI Divisional Inspector Colin Williams, from Ruthin, supervisor Diane Carrie from Henllan and engineers Simon Hayes from Bodelwyddan and Mark Crumb from Prestatyn.

Joining them in the battle of the bulge are Deputy Divisional Inspector Matt Crofts from Chorley and Training Divisional Inspector Andy Hurley who lives in Whitchurch. The team members, who will each lose between one and two stone, hope to be a shadow of their former selves in time for the weigh-in on RNLI SOS Day, January 30.

The Denbighshire slimmers threw away calorie-laden office treats on Monday as they officially started their two-month intensive diet.

They are calling on the public to share a slice of the action and put the vital ingredient into their fundraising recipe by logging on to www.justgiving.co.uk/sheddingourstomachs and making a donation.

“Losing this much weight is not going to be easy, especially over the Christmas period,” said Diane.

“We are all going to have to be very motivated and dedicated, which is something our volunteer crews know all too well about. Around the coast of Wales, thousands of volunteer crew risk their lives every single day, so sacrificing our favourite foods is just a small gesture in comparison to the commitment they give.”

Rhyl RNLI volunteer Vinny Jones will be at the RNLI’s Divisional Base in St Asaph to cheer on the fundraisers as they symbolically throw away their excess weight.

“Without fundraisers, the RNLI would not be able to continue rescuing 21 people every single day,” he said. “We are delighted that the RNLI's operational staff are getting behind SOS Day and wish them all the very best with their challenge.”

The RNLI is encouraging people to hold their own SOS themed event on January 30 to help raise money to train and equip its volunteer lifeboat crews.

For more information, or to order a free fundraising pack, contact the RNLI Fundraising Office in Cardiff on 02920 456999 or log on to www.rnli.org.uk/sos.