COASTGUARDS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR UK SAILING CHARITY

MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) volunteers are to undertake a sponsored walk clockwise round Britain's coastline in 2002. The Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), a UK sailing charity which promotes the integration of able bodied and physically disabled people through tall ship sailing will be the sole beneficiary.

"The Coastguard Coastwalk 2002" will be launched by local BBC reporter David George at Lands End on Tuesday 8th January at 11.00am and will take approximately one year to complete. The total distance to be covered is approximately 4300 miles, and some 279 Coastguard teams will be involved. The teams of two will be carrying a JST mascot and a bottle of Pussers Navy Rum to be auctioned at the end.

The route is based on Richard and Shally Hunt's 1995 walk, with their permission, and their book "The Sea on our Left". Bridges and local ferries will be used where necessary to avoid huge detours inland. Progress around the coast can be monitored on the MCA and Jubilee Sailing Trust websites (www.mcga.gov.uk and www.jst.org.uk).

JST volunteers throughout the country will be offering their support in raising funds and cheering on the walkers and the Cornwall branch will be present at the start of the mammoth walk to send the Coastguards on their way.

John McClymont who is Watch Officer at Holyhead Coastguard and has organised the event said "The Coastguard Coastwalk aims to increase the profile of the MCA and the Jubilee Sailing Trust, an amazing charity which enables people of all ages and abilities to sail on their two specially designed tall ships the LORD NELSON and TENACIOUS."

Titbit…  In 1997 two teams from the north of Scotland travelled around Britain raising money for the Coastguard Association (CGA) and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund (CSBF). Their journey, sponsored by LandRover and assisted en-route with accommodation provided by Haven Holidays and others enabled them to raise £2,500 for the CGA and CSBF.

Money was raised via a competition to estimate the total distance the teams would travel. The competition prize of a MultiMedia PC was won by a watch officer in Orkney.