An article written by the RNLI about me explaining what I'm doing, please read.

RNLI benefits from teaching assistant going the extra mile and doubling his efforts

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched its H2Only campaign last month to help raise money for the brave volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards who save lives at sea. The RNLI is challenging people to give up all drinks except for water for 2 weeks from Tuesday 27 May 2014. Fundraisers will have to master the art of self-control to give up the humble cup of tea, the refreshing can of pop or the well-earned glass of wine.

Last week, the RNLI published research saying that 29% of Brits chose a cup of tea as their favourite drink, with 63% of us drinking 4 cups or more of tea or coffee a day – the equivalent of 3.6 bath-tubs over the course of the year. However, one volunteer,

Ryan Hanson, 19 from Mattersey Thorpe near Doncaster, wanted to push himself further to raise money for the RNLI. Ryan is doubling the challenge length and will be taking on the H2Only challenge for a whole month from Tuesday 27 May. ‘After seeing the H2Only challenge pop up on Facebook, I was reminded of a rescue I witnessed first-hand which has always stayed with me. In the summer of 2010 I was on the coast when a tourist got into trouble in the water prompting the brave volunteers from Whitby lifeboat station to swing into action,’ said Ryan. He continued: ‘If that crew and the hundreds like them across the UK and Ireland can drop everything to help others, then I thought pushing myself further and taking on the H2Only challenge for a month was worth it.’

Currently a trainee teaching assistant at Mattersey Primary school, a small local school of 40 pupils, Ryan is aiming to raise as much money as possible for the lifesaving charity. Ryan has enlisted support from pupils at the school to help him raise money. For example, Ryan is holding a colouring competition for children at the school with prizes donated by the RNLI up for grabs. Ryan started at the school as a midday supervisor and a play worker for the afterschool and holiday club, before being offered an apprenticeship to become a teaching assistant.

Since January this year to April, RNLI lifeboat crews in the North of England have launched 62 times and saved 4 lives.