Helford Passage Regatta pushes Falmouth RNLI support past £27,000

Egg and spoon races, a tug of war and a lot of rowing. That’s what it took this summer for a small event on the Helford River to add to a fundraising tally that started nearly two decades ago.

A cheque for £641 has been handed to Falmouth RNLI by Helford Passage Regatta. Regatta Treasurer Tina Walker presented it at Falmouth Lifeboat Station to Senior Station Technician Jonathon Blakeston and All-Weather Lifeboat Afloat Mechanic Andy Edwards.

Support going back to 2007

The regatta has backed Falmouth’s lifeboat station since 2007, and over that time it has raised more than £27,000 for the RNLI.

The money doesn’t all go one way. It’s split between Falmouth RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance, with a smaller amount going to the Helford River navigation marks, which have to be maintained.

Rowing, sack races and a lifeboat alongside

This year’s regatta was held on 8 August, and the fine weather brought a good turnout.

Tina said: “The regatta mainly consists of rowing events for the under 8s up to veterans but also has swimming races and a number of shore-based activities including a tug of war, egg and spoon, three-legged and sack races as well as a tombola, raffle and cake stalls.”

Falmouth RNLI said it is very grateful to Helford Passage for its continued support.

“It was also great to have Falmouth’s Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Robina Nixon Chard visit the regatta and be alongside the pontoon for people to view,” Tina added. “It was a great day!”

📷Regatta Treasurer Tina Walker (centre) hands over the cheque to Jonathon Blakeston and Andy Edwards at Falmouth Lifeboat Station. Credit: Falmouth RNLI