THE LIFEBOAT crew in Newlyn likes a challenge, so they've set themselves a fundraising bid to push their muscles to the limit.
Penlee's RNLI lifeboat crew have started training for a daunting sporting challenge in the New Year; they're set to be 'Swift On Saddles' as part of the RNLI's SOS Day, the charity's biggest fundraising event.
The volunteers plan to cycle 50 miles around the tip of Cornwall to raise vital funds for the volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards in the south west.
David Raymond, Sam Gillchrest, Zac Haining, Wayne Davey, Josh Simm and Paul Kneebone will join coxswain Patrick Harvey on Saturday, January 29. They'll set off from the lifeboat station in Newlyn before heading up the A30 to St Ives. From St Ives they'll follow the coast road round to Land's End and back to Newlyn.
"We hope to cover the distance in about eight hours, but it's quite a journey up and down plenty of hills as the road follows the coastline and round lots of windy lanes," said Patrick.
"It's not going to be easy. The training in itself is tough to fit around our commitment to being on call 24/7 and the weekly crew training on the lifeboats, but we're all quite determined."
The team members have been given half-price gym membership at RS Fitness in Newlyn to prepare for the event.
In previous years, the crew has done a Soap Our Saloons car wash for SOS Day – last year they added a Sizzle Our Sausages BBQ, which helped raise £4,500.
In case of a call-out on January 29, some of the crew will remain at the Penlee station where they'll be doing a car wash. The cyclists will be collecting en route, but if you want to sponsor them, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/penlee
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN