Please sponsor me to raise money for the RNLI

[mbird]

I've just signed up to raise money for the RNLI, a charity I am sure is dear to all our hearts!

The only snag is that I have to abseil down the outside of Southwold Lighthouse (assuming I actually survive the 200 steps up to the top of course!) on 11th August this year. I've never abseiled before so this could be a little scary!

If you are able to donate, then please visit my donation page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Mark.Bird and don't forget to click the gift-aid box so the RNLI can claim the tax on your donation (at no extra cost to you)

 

Thank you!!

[ranworthbreeze]

Hi Mark,

 

A worthy cause indeed.

 

Watch out for the first step down it a doozy.

 

Everyone please support Mark and all the other people involved in raising money for the RNLI.

 

 

I saw your request on another location.

 

Regards

Alan

[mbird]

Thank you for all your donations so far. So far the total raised is £250 including gift aid...in the first day! The event isn't until August so plenty of time to raise lots more! I have posted this in various forums to get as much coverage as possible for the event and blag as much money as possible for this life saving charity

[mbird]

With many more donations, the total is now £312.50 including gift aid! In another twist, £500 has been pledged if a team of 3 of us take part in some powerboat racing on Oulton Broad in two weeks time!

None of us has ever driven a powerboat, and these will be proper formula 3 boats. We each have to complete one race each, preferably without coming a cropper and have been told we will "earn" every penny! Sounds scary, but Team Thunderbolts are well up for it!

[diesel falcon]

ermmm hope it,s a big boat!! 

[jillR]

dont forget the ear plugs

[mbird]

So do I Trev, but apparently we have to lay down in it!

[loribear]

hi mark have donated, i think RNLI need all the help they can get, good luck with your absail , lori 

[mbird]

Many thanks Lori!

[diesel falcon]

sure it,s f3??

 

[mbird]

Ok, now I am REALLY scared  . It's def F3 and I know now why I was told to bring spare pants....!

 

It's only 6 weeks to my wedding, so I'd better not break anything. I don't think a plaster cast will look good with a kilt! At least future wife is a Senior Sister in Intensive care so I might get specialist treatment...! 

[mbird]

Thank you to all who have donated so far! Our total now stands at £370 including gift aid!

[mbird]

Apparently I misheard the type of boat we'll be racing, it's actually an OSY 400, not F3. Thank heaven for that!!

[SPEEDTRIPLE]

Ok, now I am REALLY scared  . It's def F3 and I know now why I was told to bring spare pants....!

 

It's only 6 weeks to my wedding, so I'd better not break anything. I don't think a plaster cast will look good with a kilt! At least future wife is a Senior Sister in Intensive care so I might get specialist treatment...! 

 

 

On the day of Karens sisters wedding, her fiance (Dave) turned up with a plaster cast on his arm. He and his best man spent all the previous night in A&E after they rolled a car late in the evening before. In all the wedding photo`s, he`s got his arm behind Clara`s (Karens sister) back. On the eve of OUR wedding, i sat in all evening waiting for my Brother and sister in-law to arrive from Lythm st Annes, while everybody else was out enjoying themselves.

[mbird]

Unfortunately the powerboat racing didn't happen last night due to a communication error between the club and the organiser. The boat we were supposed to use was already booked for someone else. A bit disappointing but we are going to reschedule for the end of July so we are still going for it. At least the wedding will be over and done by then so no fear of plastercasts in the wedding photos!

[Siddy]

Good luck Mark I've topped the pot up a bit for you.

[mbird]

Thank you very much Siddy!

 

Only a week and a half to go now, and I think Southwold Lighthouse is getting taller........

[mbird]

The charity abseil took place yesterday at Southwold in good weather, if a little breezy. Never having done an abseil before, I was somewhat nervous, and can honestly say it is one of the most worrying things I've done!

 

Getting over the handrailing at the top of the lighthouse seems such a wrong thing to do (even with the safety line!), and then dangling from a rope connected to a little webbing harness does not really instill a sense of security. Having said that, it was exciting and in the process managed to raise a current total of........

 

£607.50!!!!

 

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, it will help the RNLI continue to do their life-saving work (voluntarily don't forget!). There is still time to donate for anyone that may like to at my Virgin Money Just Giving page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Mark.Bird

 

Here's a little video of the rather tentative approach I took!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNPnJNiMbGE

[ranworthbreeze]

Well done Mark!

Not only for attempting the abseil but for the amount you raised for the RNLI.

I bet you felt better when you were the ground.

Regards

Alan

[AdnamsGirl]

Well done!  You are braver than I. I did once do a small abseil as a fearless 11 year old at a Butlins, but these days I don't think I'd even be able to peer over the edge let alone step over it !!

 

If you, or anyone else, fancies giving it a go on the Broads then there is a Thurne Mill abseil planned for the 14th September to help raise funds for the ongoing restoration and upkeep of the mill. More details here: http://www.windengines.co.uk/4.html

 

 

Carol

[mbird]

A photo from the top as I dangle. The smile is false, I assure you!!

 

 

 

 

[jillR]

nice view

[diesel falcon]

Well done Mark