Updated on Jul 27th 2012 at 12:13 PM from the JustGiving API

Just off to do the last 80 lengths of my Olympic Lifeboat Challenge!

Updated on Jul 17th 2012 at 9:35 AM from the JustGiving API

Only 10 days to go and around 800 lengths left! Looks like I'll have to double my efforts :-)

Updated on Feb 17th 2012 at 10:52 AM from the JustGiving API

I'm now 19 weeks into my challenge and well on target (see my pics for the route progress). This time next week i should hit the 100 mile mark! Thanks to all for your donations so far, myself and the Lifeboat Fund greatly appreciate it!

"One week without swimming makes one weak"

 

For my latest swimming challenge a week off is not an option.  To commemorate the 2012 Olympics, and to raise money for the Lifeboat Fund, I shall be swimming a total of 201.2 miles between 11 Oct and the opening ceremony in July 2012.

 

Over the next 42 weeks I'll be hitting the lanes and the open water to cover the equivalent of almost 13,000 lengths of a 25m pool.  That's around 5 miles, or 308 lengths a week.  In fact, it's like me hopping on the train from Leeds over to Grimsby and swimming down along the coast and up the Thames to the Olympic Village (well, in nautical miles)!

 

If you want to keep a track on my progress then you can by visiting my Nicky Buoy blog.

 

So, why the Lifeboat Fund?  Well, I've been a civil servant for 11 years and it's our official charity.  Here's a bit from their website:

 

"The Communications and Public Service Lifeboat Fund (The Lifeboat Fund, for short) is proud to be the single largest regular contributor to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the charity that saves lives at sea.  The Fund is registered with the official regulators as a charity which fundraises throughout the UK.

 

The Fund was formed in 1866 by civil servants who wanted to donate and now, in the 21 century, its mission continues, to ensure there is a source of help for those who find themselves in situations of panic and distress in the UK’s coastal waters.  Often, their only source of help is the courageous and selfless body of RNLI volunteers, always ready to respond to ‘shouts’ in any weather and all times of the day and night.  Sometimes, they owe their lives to them.

 

All money raised by The Fund goes directly to support the RNLI. We are by far its largest contributor. Since it was formed, The Lifeboat Fund has provided the RNLI with 52 new lifeboats and lots of other assistance.  The RNLI survives solely on voluntary contributions and legacies.  So it needs our help to maintain over 330 lifeboats in its active fleet, working out of 235 lifeboat stations.  In each of 2009 and 2010, the volunteer crews rescued well over 8,000 people – an average of 22 every single day.  

 

The Lifeboat Fund is an official charity of the Civil Service, the Royal Mail and British Telecom.  It benefits from giving by serving and retired employees and from legacies.  Civil servants the length and breadth of the UK organise fundraising collections and promote the lifesaving work of the RNLI.  Our Patron is HRH the Duke of Kent."

 

And now a bit about the RNLI:

 

"The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. We provide a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the coasts of the UK and RoI, as well as a seasonal lifeguard service on many of the busiest beaches in England and Wales.  The RNLI has saved more than 139,000 since it's foundation in 1824.

 

The RNLI also works to promote sea and beach safety."

 

So, thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

Nicky Buoy

 

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