New Lifeboat Appeal

£19,000 reached in just four months

The RNLI revealed on July 5, that just four months after launching an appeal to raise £31,000 for a new D class inshore lifeboat for Looe, a cracking £19,000 has already been collected. The new lifeboat, which is due to arrive at the station in the autumn, will be named in memory of 19-year-old Ollie Naismith who died in a tragic car accident last December. Today the charity is launching a special YouTube film featuring one of Ollie’s best friends, Jamie Curtis who is a crew volunteer at Looe.

The appeal for the new lifeboat has touched many hearts, especially in the town where Ollie lived. Money has been donated by individuals, groups and organisations including the Chairman of Cornwall Council, Pat Harvey who has chosen the RNLI as her official charity. The support has delighted the RNLI team at Looe and Ollie’s parents, John and Maxine Naismith who are actively involved in the appeal. Maxine, who recently joined 17 others to raise money by skydiving, says she can’t believe the kindness people are showing:

‘Many of our friends are busy raising money, but so too are total strangers who are inspired by the very personal nature of the appeal and I can’t say a big enough thank you to them all. I’m staggered by the fact that in just four months we have already collected over £19,000. It really is a wonderful memorial to Ollie and we take strength from all the support and words of kindness.’

Today a special film has been put onto the RNLI’s YouTube site (see link below) featuring one of Ollie’s best friends, Jamie Curtis who is a lifeboat crew volunteer at Looe. It’s hoped it will be circulated via Ollie’s enormous circle of friends on the social networking site, Facebook and asks young people to help raise the funds needed for the new lifeboat. Jamie says he hopes his direct appeal will inspire people:

‘Ollie was a really good friend all through school and I have very happy memories of him surfing, playing music and generally hanging out. I hope this film will show people why this is the best way of keeping Ollie’s memory alive for his Dad, Mum, sister and his many friends in the community of Looe. I’d ask people to use the link and feature it on their Facebook pages so as many young people as possible can find out more about our appeal and why our crew need the new lifeboat and hopefully help us raise the rest of the money.’

To view the film and post it to personal sites and pages, please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGwqXoNK_-k

You can also donate to the appeal in the following ways; by sending a cheque made out to the Looe Inshore Lifeboat Appeal to Looe Lifeboat Station, West End, East Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1AT or by ringing 0845 121 4999 and quoting the appeal, or via either the station website at www.looelifeboats.org or the RNLI website at www.rnli.org.uk/looeappeal

RNLI Looe Launch Appeal for New Lifeboat

On Monday 8 March Looe RNLI launched a £31,000 appeal to pay for a new D Class inshore Lifeboat for Looe. The new Lifeboat, which is due to arrive at the station in the Autumn, will be named in memory of 19 year old local man Ollie Naismith who died in a tragic car accident last December. His family are supporting the charity's appeal, along with the town's Mayor, Councillor Michael Joy who pledged his support at his annual dinner on Friday 12 March.

A D Class inshore Lifeboat has served Looe since 1992 but the present one, Regina Mary, needs to be replaced. The new lifeboat will be of the very latest design, will be faster fitted out with hi-tech navigation equipment and an updated first aid kit, including oxygen. The appeal aims to raise the total amount needed to provide the lifeboat, its engine and all relevant equipment to help save lives at sea.

The D Class Lifeboat has been the workshorse of the RNLI for 40 years. It's small and highly manoeuvrable, making it ideal for rescues close to shore in fair to moderate conditions. It has a single outboard engine and can be righted manually by the three crew following a capsize.

Dave Haines, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Looe, says the D Class lifeboat is a vital asset to the town and compliments the bigger Atlantic Class Lifeboat that the RNLI also base at Looe.

'Looe and its surrounding coastline is extremely popular, especially in the summer months, and time and again the call outs we launch prove the need for our two inshore lifeboats.Then of course there is our fishing fleet to protect and the many leisure craft that journey between Fowey and Plymouth. This new D Class inshore Lifeboat will provide us with a valauble tool, especially when it comes to rescues up the river in shallow water, and out amongst the rocks or at the foot of cliffs'

The new lifeboat will be the last of the D Class design to arrive in the south west and will carry the name of Ollie Naismith. One of Ollie's closest friends, Jamie Curtis is an RNLI volunteer at Looe and will be one of those to man the new Lifeboat. Ollie's mother, Maxine says it is a wondereful tribute to her much-loved son:

'Ollie loved the sea and surfing and Jamie was one of his close friends. Ollie was full of life and would be amazed to see his name on a lifeboat. This will keep his memory alive for his Dad, Sister and me and for his many friends in the community of Looe. Lots of people have asked if there will be some sort of memorial for Ollie following his tragic death, and now I can answer them by asking them to give financial support to this appeal in Ollie's name'

People wishing to donate can either; donate online by following the link or send a cheque made out to Looe Inshore Lifeboat Appeal to Looe Lifeboat Station, West End, East Looe, PL13 1AT, or by ringing 0845 121 4999 or by supporting the many events due to be held in the coming months. For more information please contact Emma Haines, Looe Lifeboats Press Officer on 07979 452693.

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