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Littlestone RNLI volunteers to spend 24 hours at sea in life raft for charity
09:39, 29 August 2019
updated: 09:40, 29 August 2019
Two men are preparing to brave the elements and spend 24 hours at sea on a life raft in aid of charity.
RNLI volunteers Josh Spiers and Wayne Black, both based at the Littlestone station on Romney Marsh, will launch their challenge at midday on Saturday.
They will spend the next 24 hours in a four-man life raft, which will be positioned around two miles off the coast, with only water, ration packs of food and their phones to keep them occupied.
The two men will then be 'rescued' at 12pm the next day and brought back to shore in time for Littlestone RNLI's emergency services day.
Mr Black, 51, from Dymchurch, said: "I think it was Josh's idea after we had a conversation about raising money for the station.
"They said who's silly enough to do that and no one else put their hands up but me and Josh.
"I've never been on a life raft before but apparently you get very sea sick.
"Speaking to people who have been on one for two hours before they said never again.
'They said who's silly enough to do that and no one else put their hands up but me and Josh...' - Wayne Black
"But I am looking forward to it. Fingers crossed for calm weather and hopefully we can raise a fair amount of money."
The duo will wear dry suits, a woolly bear undersuit and a life jacket to keep them warm.
They are also hoping to do a live feed of their adventure, signal pending.
And while it will just be them too out at sea, the station will be manned throughout their challenge.
Mr Spiers, 32, from Old Romney, added: "I'm really looking forward to doing it, but at the same time it will be a real challenge - spending that amount of time in a small space and fighting the elements.
"I did a training course in Poole and spent some time on a life raft and thought I could do it for longer."
Their challenge will end during the free emergency services family fun day at the Coast Drive station, happening from 10am-5pm.
The day will include a barbecue, kit demonstrations and displays, rides, stalls, marching bands and classic cars and motorbikes on view.
Members of the Litter Picking Watch Romney Marsh - recently praised for their hard work keeping the area tidy - will also attend.
All money raised from the challenge will support the RNLI, whose volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the UK.
