Following the theft of a lifeboat and lifesaving equipment in February last year, the Colwick Park Lifeguards team set about rebuilding the volunteer club – including a sponsored canoe trip from one end of the River Trent, through Nottingham, to the other end of the River Trent in Hull.

To recognise this effort the Lord Mayor of Nottingham hosted a Civic Reception for some of those involved. Volunteers Jamie Brown, David Roberts, Aaron Stevenson and Ben Moore attended the reception on Thursday 8th January with Lord Mayor Ian Malcolm.

Over The Moon

Club Secretary Mark Smith said “we are over the moon that some of the equipment has been recovered, especially the boat. We were astounded at the support given to us by the community and we would like to say thank you to everyone that helped. All the individual pieces of information, together with the hard work of Nottinghamshire Police brought positive results”.

Volunteers

However, Mark went on to add that “the community support doesn’t need to stop there – we rely totally on volunteers across a range of areas. We offer training in lifeguarding and powerboating and also need people to help with maintenance and even cooking – our operations are just like the canoe trip that relied on not just the volunteers on the river but also those supporting back in Nottingham. People can get in touch with us through our website, www.thelifeguards.org.uk – we always welcome new volunteers”

Fundraising

Club member David Roberts said: “the canoe trip in April 2014 went on the River Trent from the source to the mouth, we thought this was symbolic of our journey as a club that keeps moving forwards from small beginnings – for us in Colwick Park in 1979 – to being of national significance – now covering major events around the country – but always keeping Nottingham at the heart.”

The Trip

Club Member Jamie Brown said: “the scariest part of the river trek was where the Trent opens up onto the Humber and the river is wider than the entire length of Holme Pierrepont lake in Nottingham! We were so grateful to everyone involved, raising over two-thousand pounds”.

About

The Colwick Park Lifeguards are available at major events around the country, but as the name suggests Nottingham has always been their home. Events include major music festivals such as Reading Festival, Latitude Festival, Nottingham Riverside Festival and V Festival, major sporting events such as the National Dragonboat Championships and Henley Royal Regatta, as well as charity events like Race for Life in Nottingham. They are always looking for new members who can contact them at www.thelifeguards.org.uk or on Twitter.