Four members of the crew at Burnham on Crouch Lifeboat Station are having to count down the days before they take part in a tandem parachute jump with the world famous RED DEVILS again as their jump scheduled for today has had to be rebooked due to the weather!

Martin ‘Hippo’ Hipsey, Neville Murray, Duncan Rawlinson and Samantha Weetch, aka ‘The Burnham Dropouts’ are raising much needed funds towards the Burnham RNLI Floating Boathouse Appeal – and were due to jump today at Langar Airfield in Nottingham. The cancellation occured due to the poor weather conditions and has been rescheduled for the 30th September instead.

Duncan Rawlinson said, “We’re all really gutted as we’d got ourselves ready to take part in the jump today. We’re all pretty nervous and the thought of another few sleepless nights is not very appealing!”

In the past year alone, the Lifeboat Crew have been involved in a number of major search and rescue operations including the RAF Sea King helicopter, Coastguard, Marine Police and crews from flank stations.

So far this year the Lifeboats have launched 60 times and have assisted over 500 people in the history of the station.

This is in addition to the other calls to stranded sailors who may have suffered mechanical failures or got lost and disorientated in poor weather conditions. The RNLI really do need your help to keep providing this essential service to the town and surrounding area.

So far the group have raised over £2,500, mainly through their page on the fundraising website ‘Just Giving’.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: RNLI – Royal National Lifeboat Institution gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

If you are able to spare a few pounds to help edge them further towards their goal, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/burnhamdropouts and donate what you can.

Thank you so much for your help, you really will be helping us to keep saving lives!

‘Dropouts’ pictured (L-R) are Neville Murray, Duncan Rawlinson, Martin ‘Hippo’ Hipsey and Samantha Weetch (front).