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A Mother's Thank You: My 240-Minute RNLI Row

By Victoria Stephenson

Donate to Victoria and help them hit their goal!

I’m fundraising for the RNLI to help power brave lifesavers to the rescue

Just over a week ago, my sons Nile (29) and Gabriel (27) were on holiday with friends and swimming in the sea in Cornwall. Out of nowhere, they were caught in a terrifying riptide. Nile  thankfully managed to break free, but Gabriel was rapidly being swept out to sea.

My husband and I didn't know anything about it until a few hours later when Nile rang us to relate what had happened. I am typing this with tears in my eyes because I know how close we came to a tragedy.

An RNLI lifeguard spotted the danger and rescued Gabriel, bringing him safely back to shore. I honestly feel that I owe my son's life to the quick actions and bravery of that lifeguard.

The RNLI operates 238 active lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, keeping our loved ones safe. To honour those stations, I am taking on a dry-land rowing challenge at my gym. I will be rowing for 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week, for 3 weeks. That adds up to 240 total minutes at the oars—giving me 1 minute of rowing for every active station keeping watch over our coasts right now (plus 2 minutes dedicated to my two boys).

The RNLI is independent of the government and relies entirely on public support to fund their equipment, training, and lifeguard patrols. Please consider donating to my row. Every pound helps ensure that another parent gets to hug their children safely after a day at the beach.

Thank you so much.

Please help raise funds for the RNLI

Raised

£859 + £153 GiftAid

My Goal

£750

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Event Information

Monday 05th October

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Increased fundraising target to £250+

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Receive 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

Thank you to my Sponsors

£110.34

Neil S

What an amazing achievement!! Lots of effort and determination. And mostly done whilst being ill - without a single complaint!!) XO

£100

Nile & Katie

£50

James Wrigglesworth

Good luck Vic! Great cause

£34.91

Anonymous

£33.83

Kevin Clark

£28.44

Patrick

£24

Clarissa

💪🏻💐

£23.45

Anne Olliver

Good Luck

£23.45

Lynette

£23.45

Fi & Chris Dyer

£23.45

Lesley Chipper

£23.45

Dorothy Hodgkinson

So horrified to hear what nearly happened and so relieved to hear both sons are safe and well. You're doing a great job in your gym. Every minute of rowing is serving such a good cause.

£23.45

Joanne Pinder

£23.45

Maxine Bridges

How terrifying for you. These lifeboat crews are proper super heroes.

£22.97

David Sunman

£22.97

Mark Duell

Good luck Victoria!

£20

Patrick

such a good thing you have achieved

£20

Victor Salomia

Such a good cause, especially so close to home. Keep it going V, you got this!💪

£20

Christine Mcritchie

It's easy to just assume help will be there, or that we'll never need it, but anyone can be caught out. I'm so glad Gabriel is ok x

£20

Ben Jeffery

Nice one, V. Pump up the jam, or 'row' in this case! 💖

£20

Paul Willmott

£20

Jo Catterall

Good Luck Victoria x

£17.89

Caroline Prew

£15

Sharon

£12.25

Alison Stephenson

You are unstoppable ! You’ll smash this 💕

£12.25

Kayleigh

Keep going Victoria!! 💪

£12.25

Kirsty Hannan

You’ll smash it 💪 xx

£12.25

Jenny Green

You are amazing my friend 💕good luck 🍀 Lots of love Jenny xx💕

£12.25

Martin Humphries

brilliant idea supporting a worth cause

£12.25

Jenny James

£12.25

Nigel Everett

So glad your boys are ok. I’m already an RNLI supporter but happy to chip an extra tenner in. The beach lifeguard service is awesome.

£12.25

Helen Gentry

£10

Kevin Frodsham

Well done, great effort, keep up the good work

£6.56

Neil Cooper

You’ve got this x

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