Big race to raise money for Channel Islands Air Search and RNLI

The Channel Islands Air Search and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have been nominated as the chosen charities to receive funds raised by this year’s Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race.

The Channel Islands Air Search is a voluntary service providing a rapid airborne search and rescue service using an Islander Aircraft in and around the Channel Islands. The operating area covers some 4,000 square miles of water surrounding the Channel Islands and the adjacent French coasts. It operates by day and night throughout the year in the worst of weather conditions and is in effect the “Eyes of the Lifeboat” providing visual, radar and an infrared detection capability. The service has been running for 33 years and costs around £90,000 per year to maintain.

RNLI Jersey and RNLI Guernsey are highly trained teams of volunteers operating from St Helier and St Catherine's in Jersey and St Peter Port in Guernsey. RNLI Jersey and RNLI Guernsey are part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution which operates across the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland and which is made up primarily of volunteers who are committed to ending preventable loss of life at sea.

The sponsor, Carey Olsen, will be hosting a seventies’ themed party and prize presentation for the skippers and their crews after the race on 7 June in a marquee at the St Helier Yacht Club, where they will hold a silent raffle and a collection with all proceeds going to the two charities. Prizes so far include two marine watches, a spa treatment, a holiday in the South of France and a ride on a Harley Davidson. Organisers, Carey Olsen, are welcoming donations of experiences or items to include in the raffle, no matter how big or small.

Jason Hobbs, commodore of the Guernsey Yacht Club and an active crew member of Channel Islands Air Search said: “Carey Olsen and the GYC have chosen to donate the proceeds from this year’s yacht race to the Channel Islands Air Search and RNLI as they rely on charitable donations to continue their good work. Both charities provide invaluable services in and for the community which enable us to enjoy Channel Islands waters safely, and we hope to show our support by giving something back.”

If anyone would like to donate a prize for the raffle please contact jessica.hacquoil@careyolsen.com