I want to create an annual charity event for the local community to enjoy and look forward to each year.
I would like to see the money raised from the annual event to go towards re-thatching the Pakefield church roof, supporting the local RNLI & Lowestoft lifeguards and much more.
How do I do this?... by bringing pilot Gig racing to the East Coast.
I need to raise £30,000 to build two pilot boats (7 man rowing boat) One for Pakefield and one for Southwold. Throughout the year, the teams will train on the beaches preparing for the big annual race.
Once we have established the annual event and a following, we can support other local coastal towns to start up their own teams and join in.

I came up with the idea to raise money for a much bigger annual event that could raise much more for the local communities with the potential for the event to grow and develop. The local Gig races will bring the communities together and raise money every year as a collective.

Pilot gigs were originally used to ferry pilots from a shallow or rocky coast to their anchored ships if they were unable to enter a harbour. They were also used by the RNLI as support boats. The 7 man rower would reach a troubled vessel to aid the rescue in rough waters.

More recently, some have been keeping the great old tradition alive by building and racing Gigs! Every year they hold races and relays, each coastal village would race to the next village as quickly as possible! We can bring this to the East Coast! Together we can make this happen.

So here I am. Swimming the English Channel with my dear friend Clarissa hoping to raise enough money to get this charity event up and running.
Thank you for your support and thank you for reading.

Together we can bring back the nostalgia. The good old days are coming back and it's all down to us. Together we can achieve anything so let's create the Southwold to Pakefield pilot gig race and let it be the first of many!