Everyone here at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat is pleased to say a huge thank you to our local councils – first Fairlight Parish Council and also the wider Rother council, for recent assistance at a difficult time.

To start with, after the difficulties presented by the new year lockdown which has had further impact on our charity’s ability to fundraise during the pandemic, our local parish council, Fairlight Parish Council made a very welcome donation of £250. This parish council grant could not have been more timely for our charity and will be extremely helpful as planned restrictions start to ease and there is more call upon our self-funded rescue services – huge thanks to all involved in this grant.

Then, our volunteer had a welcome surprise when, in April and after almost a year of trying, our charity secured a Rother Discretionary Grant payment of just under £5,000.

But it was no surprise that Fairlight resident and Rother councillor Andrew Mier, who has been aware of our difficulties across 2020, was one of the first to express his delight for us. Andrew has remained in touch throughout as he has been particularly mindful of the problems our charity has experienced in accessing any of the government’s ‘rescue’ funding for charities via the local Rother Council, so he was keen to hear the good news and what it means for our charity.

Although unable to visit the boathouse at the time due to restrictions, once the most recent round of unlocking took place and visitors were allowed Cllr. Mier popped down to the boathouse for a catch up.

“I am very pleased that Rother has awarded the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat a discretionary grant in recognition of their loss of income from fundraising activity during the pandemic. The boat’s vital work had to carry on while income was curtailed.”

Cllr, Andrew Mier

During his visit on Sunday 23rd May 2021, Cllr. mier was able to see our volunteers in action, quite literally, as they worked to remove the remaining rubbish and pollution gathered in the recent Strandliners’ beach clean up at Fairlight Cove.

As a Fairlight resident, Cllr. Mier is aware of the difficulties with pollution in the area and of the work being undertaken by volunteers to keep the local environment and its users – human, flora, fauna or fishes – to stay clean and safe.

“I am also very pleased to see the rescue boat working with Strandliners to remove and analyse troubling quantities of plastic waste from our beaches […] We are very lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers serving our community and I thank all concerned for what they are doing.”

Cllr, Andrew Mier

It was great to have our first proper visit from someone ‘outside’ of our volunteer teams, now that this is permitted. It was also particularly good to see Cllr. Mier and his partner Carol (as pictured with our Chair, Kev) to be able to say thank you for the ongoing support. Kev was also able to say an official thank you to our local Rother Councillor for the grant:

“Along with many charities, we have struggled with the impact of the pandemic on our ability to raise money for our significant running costs. Achieving this grant enables us to continue to provide rescue services as lockdown lifts and local beaches become busier, and we appreciate the support and recognition from Councillor Mier and Rother District Council.”