W
L
GRATEFUL SAILING COUPLE DELIVERS
WEDDING DONATIONS TO RNLI NEW BRIGHTON
Liverpool newlyweds Alison and David Harrison visited the
RNLI lifeboat station to hand over funds collected from guests
on their wedding day. The gesture comes after RNLI volunteer
crew came to the pair's aid when their yacht had mechanical
difficulties on the Mersey.
Sailors Alison and David delivered a hand-decorated shoebox
containing around £100 to RNLI New Brighton, after guests
donated to the charity during the couple's wedding.
RNLI Helm Mike Stannard was at the lifeboat station when the
newlywed couple called in. He said: ‘We are all really touched by
the efforts Alison and David have gone to since we helped them
out on the river.
‘From their creative and colourful efforts on the shoebox the
donation came in, to fundraising for our lifeboat station on their
special day, it’s fantastic and we are so grateful.’
Long-time supporters of the charity that saves lives at sea, Alison
and David asked that friends and family attending their wedding
make the donation after RNLI lifeboat volunteers came to their
rescue earlier in the year.
Alison said: ‘We are always keen to support RNLI as we have our
own yacht and often enjoy sailing in and around Liverpool, the
Irish Sea and the Menai Strait.
‘In March 2018, we were most grateful for the assistance of New
Brighton RNLI crew when we had propulsion difficulty while
on the River Mersey. So there was no question about using the
occasion of our big day to raise funds for the team.’
Helm Mike Stannard was also onboard the inshore lifeboat on the
day of rescue and had just taken the RNLI crew through a training
session when the call came in to the Coastguard.
‘Keeping an ear on the radio meant we picked up Alison and
David’s call so we could advise the Coastguard we were only two
minutes away and could reach them quickly,’ said Mike. ‘Ably
assisted by the yacht’s crew, one of our team boarded the yacht to
set up the tow. Twenty minutes later the vessel was safely berthed
back at Liverpool Marina, all within the 45-minute window we had
before the marina was due to be locked.
‘Despite following safety guidelines, even the most experienced
sailors can be caught out by engine problems. Alison and David
did exactly the right thing by promptly calling the Coastguard.
This meant we were able to offer speedy assistance getting them
out of the channel and back to safety.’
Whenever anyone is in difficulty in, on or near the water, RNLI
advises they dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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