On Thursday 21st February, we were delighted to pop up to the Two Sawyers pub in Pett, to present a certificate of thanks for recent donations.

The Two Sawyers have been taking donations into a custom-made donation box, all of which has added up to a recent donation of just over £100 to us. A short certificate presentation, and a celebratory round of drinks (mostly soft ones, of course) took place as we said thank you to the team at the Two Sawyers. Publican and owner Mark Fleischer and barstaff Karen are pictured receiving the certificate of thanks, along with Dave Martin, PLIRB chairman.

Everyone here at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat would like to say a very big thank you staff and customers of the Two Sawyers – this local community support is sincerely appreciated and makes a considerable difference to what we’re able to achieve in replacing vital equipment and providing an essential independent local rescue service along the local coastline (and beyond).

We really couldn’t do it without this kind of support, thank you all very much.

On Sunday 3rd February, we were delighted to have a visit to the base from the wonderfully supportive team at Dynamic Events in Rye, who came to present us with a marvellous cheque for £2022.90. This very welcome donation is the result of some very hard work fundraising on behalf of Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat, as an independent rescue charity.

It all began last summer when the staff team at Dynamic Events decided to take part in September 2018’s Dragonboat Race at Bewl Water. However, when asked which charity they’d be fundraising for, they had a little trouble deciding. But staff member Jo Stapley, who also happens to be a trainee crew volunteer here at the PLIRB, was quick to share with her colleagues our efforts in raising money to buy and refit a reserve launch & recovery vehicle. Once Jo shared this water-themed cause, and the question was put to a vote, Jo’s colleagues were quick to get on board with the idea, with PLIRB winning the vote as the chosen charity.

As we shared at the time, the Dynamic Events Dragonboat was manned (and of course womanned) by a superb crew of Dynamic Events staff, PLIRB volunteers, plus a few interested (and very helpful) families and friends to make up the numbers. Despite coming in last in every race, this fabulous crew had a fantastic time and managed to raise a significant sum for us whilst doing so.

In fact, now that all of the monies have been collected and counted, Dynamic Events were able to donate a cheque for £2022.90, which is an amazing result for all their hard work in raising funds with quiz nights, fun events and a dedicated GoFundMe page.

As the top photo shows, several Dynamic Events staff members came down for the presentation whilst many of our boat and base crews, including Jo Stapley, were also down at the base for our usual Sunday morning training. It was great to be able to get together and enjoy some early spring sunshine and receive (with grateful thanks) the cheque.

The cropped in photo above shows (front row, L to R) PLIRB Chairman, David Martin, receiving the cheque from Claire Bowley (Dynamic Events Operations Director), Malcolm Wallace (Dynamic Events Managing Director), Kelsey Morgan (Events Assistant), Amelia Simpson (Event Manager), and Tara O’Shea (Event Assistant) and Jo Stapley (representing both Dynamic Events and PlIRB).  Also in the close-up are PLIRB crew members (back row, L to R) Isaac Dyer, Ethan Beech, John Crowther and Darren Barry,

Everyone here at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat would like to say a very big thank you to all concerned at Dynamic Events, as well as all those who supported their fundraising with donations and sponsorship. This kind of support is sincerely appreciated and is really making a difference to us in what we’re able to achieve in replacing vital equipment and providing an essential independent local rescue service along the local coastline (and beyond).

We really couldn’t do it without this kind of support, thank you all very much.

Last Thursday 24th January, members of the Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat committee were invited along to a presentation evening by the Eastbourne Historic Vehicle Club.

The club runs lots of activities, shows and festivals and invited us along to receive a share of funds raised at the Hellingly Festival of Transport, which took place last August. The event itself took place over the same infamous weekend as our own Open Day and as our own supporters know, the weather on the Sunday was rather against outdoor events!

However, thankfully for the EHVC, their festival ran over the whole weekend so the fair weather days meant it was well attended, as club Chairman, Steve Young shared:

“The 2018 Festival of Transport last August was blessed with fine weather for two days out of three, with the Sunday, unfortunately, a ‘little wet’. However, the show was enjoyed by entrants and visitors alike and we had a great weekend. We are delighted to maintain our annual donations to local charities, which over the last 43 years have totalled a figure approaching £200,000.”

The EHCV are now busy planning 2019’s big event, the 44th Festival of Transport which will be held at Broad Farm. But meanwhile, at Thursday’s presentation, cheques were presented by EHVC Vice-President, Mike Bray, to representatives of St.Wilfrid’s Hospice (£500), The Friends of Eastbourne Hospital (£500), KSS Air Ambulance Trust (£500) and the Pett Level Rescue Boat Association (£250).  Other donations have been made to Eastbourne RNLI (£250) and local Hellingly organisations.

The £250 donation is much appreciated and will almost certainly be going in the direction of supporting our own historic vehicle – our reserve launch vehicle – as it is refurbished to become fit for the very specific purposes of getting our boats safely launched and recovered along the ever-changing Pett Level Beach.

Everyone here at Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat would like to say a very big thank you to all concerned at the EHVC and those who supported the 2018 festival. We really couldn’t do it without this kind of support, so thank you very much.

Header image (L to R): John Brooker & John Pulfer (PLIRB), Mike Bray (EHVC Vice-President), David Martin.

In-post image (L to R): Pett Level Rescue Boat Association, Mike Bray (EHVC Vice-President), Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, St. Wilfrid’s Hospice, Friends of Eastbourne Hospital and PLIRB again far right.

Thanks to Dave Bone, Secretary EHVC for photographs and permissions.