Irwin Pryce
SERC Public Services 1000 Mile Challenge
Fundraising for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Story
SERC Level 3 Extended Diploma Public Services 1st year students from Bangor campus are undertaking 1000 miles of running, walking and cycling which is being tracked through their private Strava group as a fundraising activity for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The class of 13 students commenced their efforts this week and are well underway to achieving their target.
The students intend on completing the exhausting 1000 mile target inside one month. You can follow their journey on the course Facebook page- SERC Public Services.
With restrictions on living implemented, the students were creative in thinking outside the box with a challenging yet rewarding fundraising activity, improving both mental and physical wellbeing. Over the past year, charities have been hit hard with few viable opportunities for fundraising. As a charity, RNLI rely entirely on support from the public with 93% of their total income from donations and 7% from income sources.
RNLI provide a 24-hour rescue service in the UK and Ireland, look after people on beaches and those affected by flooding. They have saved over 142,700 lives since 1824. They also influence and educate people while working internationally to tackle drowning in communities around the world.
The students are currently studying the Leadership and Teamwork in the Public Services unit. Participation in this hands on project based learning activity will allow them to meet assessed criteria as they will be completing a team activity with one student assigned as a leader who will oversee organisation.
The students are also studying the Volunteering in the Public Services unit. As part of completing this, students must carry out voluntary work. They are currently working towards Millennium Volunteers and Duke of Edinburgh Award, having already carried out voluntary work this year for another charity. This fundraising activity allows them to accrue hours towards these additional qualifications which are embedded into their course.
Physical fitness is required for all public services, with fitness tests commonly consisting of a timed run. The students will be putting themselves out of their comfort zones for the benefit of the wider public.
Included in their schedule will be the “RNLI Mayday Mile” where students will answer the mayday call and participate in a nationwide charity event for RNLI on the May bank holiday, walking a mile together in fancy dress.
On behalf of these selfless students who I am immensely proud
of, I would be very grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes and make a small donation towards this worthwhile cause which the students care about. Please make their miles count and save lives at sea. Your donation will go a long way in ensuring the vital lifesaving work carried out by this valuable local cause continues.
