Johanna Bayliss-Fuller

Why I’m taking part in the RNLI Mayday Mile.

This May, I will be completing at least one mile a day as part of the RNLI Mayday Mile fundraiser to help crews save lives at sea.

Why am I fundraising for the RNLI? 

My great-grandfather, Sydney Herbert Seager (1885–1957), became a boatman based in Clacton-on-Sea in 1901, the same year the third Albert Edward lifeboat arrived in December. Sydney later went on to serve in the Royal Navy during WW1.

My grandfather, Albert Edward Seager (1908–1975), indeed named after the lifeboat, also volunteered with the RNLI. If he wasn’t responding on the lifeboat itself, he would row out to the Albert Edward to bring those on board safely back to shore.

My mother, Gloria (born 1949), recalls a story of my grandmother, Jessica (1914–2003), going to watch Albert in action during particularly rough seas. Jessica quickly decided she could never watch Albert rowing to the lifeboat in another shout again, witnessing her husband disappear behind enormous waves, with only his white cap visible from shore.

Sadly, I never met my grandfather. However, I do remember my mother always donating to the RNLI growing up and I would drop coins into the boat-shaped collection boxes as a child. 

More recently, some of you may know that I haven’t been in the best of health for eight months or so due to breathing difficulties - not ideal for walking, and certainly not for running a mile a day!

But… why use two legs when you can use four?! Instead of walking or running, my horse Donkey (born 2003) and I will be riding the Mayday Mile Challenge. 

As an equestrienne, I have raised funds for the Air Ambulance several times; however, I have never actively done so for the RNLI. Although I have never sailed, I do enjoy paddleboarding in the summer - and I sincerely hope I never need the RNLI’s assistance. After my Grandfather and Great Grandfather’s involvement with the RNLI Clacton-on-Sea and it also being my mother’s birthday in May, the Mayday Mile felt like the perfect event to take part in.

Thank you for reading this far and for considering sponsoring our efforts. I would encourage anyone who enjoys visiting the coast to remember that they too could one day unexpectedly need the assistance of the RNLI.

Any donation, big or small, would be truly appreciated and will help support the RNLI’s life-saving work. If you’re unable to donate at this time, simply sharing our page would mean a great deal and help spread awareness of the incredible work the RNLI do. 

From Donkey and me,

Thank you.