Today, New Brighton RNLI volunteer Mark Daly is exchanging his lifeboat pager for a cycling helmet as he starts a 1,100-mile challenge in aid of the RNLI.
As a volunteer crew member on the station’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Mark knows the importance of raising money to help save lives at sea. Over the next 10 days, Mark will cycle from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, visiting 32 RNLI lifeboat stations along the way.
Today, Friday 2 July, Mark will start his RNLI LEJOG challenge by cycling from Lands’ End to Port Issac – covering 94 miles in 12 hours and stopping at eight lifeboat stations as he cycles across the South West.
Mark, who supports young people and their families across the Liverpool area, has been a volunteer lifeboat crew member at New Brighton RNLI for four years. Over £1250 has already been raised, but Mark hopes to raise more money for the charity by the time he reaches John O’Groats.
Before setting off from the Wirral to the South West, Mark explained why he wanted to take on the LEJOG challenge to help raise funds for the RNLI, ‘This challenge was set during discussions around the table with a beer or coffee, a couple of years ago pre-covid. As a lifeboat station we have regularly donated to other causes and we felt it was time we raised some funds for PPE to support crews in the RNLI.
‘LEJOG was chosen as it was difficult enough to be a challenge but also a great opportunity to visit other RNLI stations and raise the profile of the charity whilst on the road travelling the length of the country. The RNLI is a charity and with all charities they rely on money donated and raised for them.
‘I have always been fairly active on the water around the British coastline and respected the water, however, since joining New Brighton lifeboat crew I have come to understand just how many people get into difficulty each and every year, and this is when the RNLI crews are called to help. Sadly, there are a lot of lives lost each year at sea.’
Mark continues, ‘Last year was the busiest year for New Brighton RNLI on record and with Covid-19 restrictions set to impact the summer holiday season yet again this year, RNLI volunteers will need all the support they can get. If I can help provide PPE for a fellow crew member to keep them warm and safe when responding to the pager, then I will have ensured they have the best chance to return home to their families and loved ones at the end of the day.’
To donate to Mark’s challenge please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RNLI-LEJOG-2021 
Image credit: RNLI New Brighton
Facebook Comments