Thousands of pounds were raised for the Island’s independent lifeboats over the weekend as Ryde Rescue, Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat and Freshwater Independent Lifeboat celebrated an extended ‘Go Orange Day’.
On Friday, Broadlea Primary School got involved in the fundraising efforts when teacher Jamie Collings was stuck against the school wall. Pupils were invited to use duct tape to stick the Year 4 teacher to the wall in return for a donation of £1. Over £455 was raised on the day.
Several local businesses in Sandown and Shanklin decorated their shop fronts in orange including Beardsalls, Ladies Realm and Hurst. Meanwhile Line Dance IOW danced away with a series of Go Orange themed events, raising £1000 in the process.
Over in Ryde there was plenty of bucket shaking with volunteer crew members from Ryde Inshore Rescue situated at Tesco supermarket on Saturday. The station’s Ryde Rescue 1 lifeboat was on display alongside with their brand new tractor and trailer unit.
The smaller Ryde Rescue 2 lifeboat was situated in the heart of the town on Friday and Saturday. Hovertravel not only welcomed Ryde Rescue 2 and lifeboat crew members during commuter times on Friday, but staff donned orange coloured dress throughout the day.
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat’s crew also took residence at a local supermarket, with teams outside Morrisons Lake and the Co-Operative in Regent Street, Shanklin.
The weekend concluded in Ryde with a cake sale and raffle at Ryde Rescue’s Appley base.
