Film premiere at Christchurch’s The Regent and fundraising by 1st Highcliffe Rainbows collects over £850 for Mudeford RNLI’s lifeboat rescuers
A SPECIAL film screening and fundraising by a young Girlguiding group collected over £850 for Mudeford RNLI.
The cash boosts were received on the same day when volunteer rescuers attended a screening at Christchurch’s Regent Centre, and 1st Highcliffe Rainbows visited the lifeboat station.
A packed audience enjoyed the south coast premiere of Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear, an in-depth documentary on the 2021-22 big wave surfing season.
Organised by Matt Tranter from GoneCoastal Events, the event included a prize draw that raised over £750 for the lifeboat station.
Lifeboat operations manager Tim Hewett said: “On behalf of the Mudeford RNLI crew, I would like to congratulate and thank Matt and the team at GoneCoastal for hosting such an amazing event and to thank the audience for their generous support of the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat station.
“As a lifesaving charity we depend on the goodwill and generosity of the public to continue our important work, saving lives at sea.
“I also hope we never see waves like those in the movie here in Mudeford!”
The Rainbows handed over a cheque for £100 they raised by taking part in the Smarties challenge, involving carrying out small acts of kindness which were rewarded by donations in small change by family and friends.
1st Highcliffe Rainbows leader Alison Markwick said: “Living near the sea, the Highcliffe Rainbows really appreciate what the RNLI do to keep people safe on the water.”
The youngsters were welcomed by lifeboat visitors officer Robin Pellatt before being given a tour by volunteers Mel Varvel and Nick Johnston.
They also stepped on board Atlantic 85 lifeboat Mudeford Servant.
Mr Hewett said: “They have done a wonderful job and their donation will help us to continue our vital lifesaving work.”
The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has so far been called out 81 times this year – more than the whole of 2022 when the station had 65 shouts.
