22nd May - update

We are still on course to leave from Lechlade in Gloucestershire on Friday 12th June. Although considerable funds have been raised already, the Appeal still has a long way to go in order to raise the £1m required. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the Lifeboat Station Appeal and would urge anyone who has not yet donated to do so, either by visiting www.justgiving.com/maltbythamestrip or sending a cheque to Caroline Roe.

RNLI Press Releases

A number of Press Releases have just been issued by the RNLI PR organisation. Here is an extract from one of them:

"William said he was moved to support the RNLI appeal because Bembridge village, and the lifesaving work of the charity, is very dear to his and his family’s heart: ‘You’ve heard of Three Men In A Boat – well we’ve dubbed this Three Maltby’s In A Boat! We have a real history with Bembridge. We are the third generation of our family to spend holidays on the island and our respective children are the fourth generation to do the same. Consequently, we are all aware of what a fantastic job the RNLI volunteer crews do, and of the desperate need for the new lifeboat station and boathouse. ’Indeed, the new station will enable crew to achieve faster response times to emergencies, and will house the Tamar, the latest and most powerful class of lifeboat in the RNLI fleet.

A keen sailor, William, 49, explained how the trip down the River Thames will be anything but plain sailing: ‘This style of boat, a scow, is often considered something of a learners’ vessel. It’s essentially a dinghy; it’s fibreglass, it’s heavy and quite slow, and it’s an absolute pig to row! It’s really only built for small distances and we fully anticipate there will be times when there just isn’t enough wind and we have to resort to rowing.

That said, it will be an adventure and a real return to roots. I am a qualified yacht master and we will observe all the essential safety advice and precautionary measures that the RNLI advocates, including lifejackets, means of communication, and ensuring the boat is full safe and fit for purpose. And that’s another reason why we admire the RNLI so much – as an authority on marine safety, we will follow their guidance to ensure we stay safe on the water.’"

Photo by Hammo Thorneycroft

Gannet Ripple Leaving Bembridge

Gannet Ripple leaves BSC for the start of her epic Thames voyage beginning in Gloucestershire (via a barn in Hampshire)

Alan Titchmarsh, until recently High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight and a long-term supporter of the RNLI, said "The Bembridge lifeboatmen have for many years been the unsung heroes of the Solent, and the new lifeboat will boost their capacity to help by hugely increasing their speed and range. People often forget that lifeboats are expensive machines and are entirely funded by voluntary contributions. The sponsored row and sail down the Thames in an Isle of Wight scow by Caroline, William and Sophie is an ingenious and welcome effort to raise money for the new lifeboat, and I urge those interested to give generously to this worthy cause.”