The Merry Mermaids present a cheque to RNLI Littlestone volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Crittenden for £1050 Credit: RNLI/John Kenny
Littlestone RNLI have welcomed a Pod of open water Mermaids who swim all year from Hythe beach.
The swimmers have raised £1,050 in donations from a range of fundraising initiatives for the RNLI.
The Mermaids were moved to action by their regular visits to the sea and their appreciation of the efforts that the RNLI volunteers at Littlestone make for people who get into difficulty in the sea.
The Merry Mermaids swim every day, whatever-the-weather, throughout the year on Hythe Beach – even when the water temperature drops as low as 6C. There are usually up to a dozen swimmers daily, with the group only missing their swim when the weather is particularly stormy or there is a water pollution concern.
The swimmers have a policy of not leaving the beach until their whole group has safely returned from the sea.
Anne Beales of the Merry Mermaids said ‘We have been delighted by the public’s response to this fundraising’
Matt Crittenden, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager for Littlestone, welcomed the Merry Mermaids at the lifeboat station on Thursday morning to thank them for their fantastic fundraising support. He also spent an hour showing the group around the lifeboat station, with a talk about the Atlantic 85 charity lifeboat Jean McIvor and a tour of the crew room with an explanation of the way a shout is responded to.
Matt Crittenden said:
‘The funds raised by the Merry Mermaids are critical for the RNLI. They make it possible for us to be there when we are needed, to save lives at sea and we thank them. We discussed with the Mermaids the possibility of using their donation to help install a defibrillator outside Littlestone RNLI station and that is our plan.’
Jane Jameson of the Merry Mermaids said:
‘We have given this donation with all our hearts- hopefully to help save some hearts.’
RNLI top safety tips for Open Water Swimming
– Never swim alone. The safest way to wild swim is at an Open Water swimming site, with a club or between the red and yellow flags on a lifeguarded beach. If you can’t get to a lifeguarded beach, learn more about your chosen location and check hazard signage by finding an organised swim group in your local community.
– Acclimatise to cold water slowly and enter gradually to reduce the risk of cold water shock.
– Check weather and tide times before you go, avoid swimming in dangerous conditions.
– Take a means for calling for help in a waterproof phone pouch and have this on you at all times.
– If you see someone in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.
– Wear a brightly coloured hat plus a tow float for increased visibility.
– Always swim parallel to the shore and not straight out. Cold water, waves and currents can tire you out quickly and make it harder to return to shore.
– Never swim under the influence of alcohol.