A VOLUNTEER Lizard lifeboat crew member raised over £1,000 for two seafaring charities after taking part in the Jester Baltimore Challenge, a single handed yacht race from Plymouth to Baltimore, Ireland. Simon Fayers handed over two cheques to The Lizard Lifeboat station and the Fisherman's Mission last week following the race which took place in June.

Once the race was completed it was Simon’s intention to sail out toward the Continental shelf, over 250 nautical miles out into the Atlantic.

Sadly after being hit by a large wave Shebeca suffered damage to her self steering gear some 100 nautical miles short of the Continental shelf. Although Simon had to head for home he still completed a voyage of over 700 nautical miles in his 26ft yacht.

Simon, 54, has been a member of the lifeboat crew for over seven years and is an experienced sailor who owns the 26ft yacht Shebeca which is moored in the Helford River.

He has taken part in a number of single-handed yacht races but on this occasion he completed his challenge without the use of any electronic navigational aids. He only used a sextant and compass, after he taught himself how to use the sextant.

The challenge started at Plymouth on Wednesday, June 17 and Simon decided to use this challenge to raise funds for the two charities.

Simon raised over £1,100 in donations and on Thursday, August 20 met with Gina Moore, Regional Fundraising Manager SW for the Fishermen’s Mission and Ned Nuzum, lifeboat operations manager at The Lizard lifeboat station along with Dan Atkinson full-time mechanic/second coxswain and Mike Lord, chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group at The Lizard Lifeboat Station to hand over a cheque for £589.38 to each charity.

Gina Moore Fishermen’s Mission regional fundraising manager SW said: "The Fishermen’s Mission is delighted to have received £589.38 raised by sponsors of Simon Fayers during his single handed offshore sailing challenge earlier this year.

"We are hugely grateful for Simon’s outstanding efforts during his sail and will use the money raised to enable our welfare officer in Cornwall to provide a lifeline of welfare and emergency support for fishermen and their families in need."

Ned Nuzum lifeboat operations manager at The Lizard said: "Our volunteer crew members are often described as ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

"Well our Simon is certainly no exception and having competed in this courageously demanding challenge, I commend and thank him on behalf of us all at The Lizard lifeboat station for his selflessness and generosity.

"As a valued volunteer lifeboat crew member over the past seven years Simon typifies the crew spirit, whether he’s ashore or afloat, always there for us, supporting our primary mission saving lives at sea. We salute you Simon."