A ROWING team has managed to raise thousands of pounds for a life-saving charity.

When the Maldon Little Ship Club’s annual Sponsored Row and Gig Race was cancelled last year, many charity events were not able to go on.

However, the Basin Oars, the flamboyant ladies’ rowing team from Heybridge Basin, managed to raise an amazing £5,020 for the RNLI thanks to their own lottery club, RNLI 200.

The cheque presentation took place aboard the Guernsey Hero lifeboat Sir William Arnold, which is moored at Heybridge Basin.

The boat is destined to become a Lifeboat Discovery Centre and RYA classroom at St Catherine‘s Dock.

The RNLI’s West Mersea lifeboat crew was invited to the celebrations.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: West Mersea Lifeboat crew Basin Oars Ladies Rowing Team with the chequeWest Mersea Lifeboat crew Basin Oars Ladies Rowing Team with the cheque

Sue Woods, chairman of Maldon and District RNLI fundraising branch, received the cheque from the Basin Oars and branch president Stephen Nunn gave a speech commending the ladies’ fundraising efforts over the past 30 years.

Sue said: “This will provide a real boost to the RNLI at a time when all charities have seen their funding dramatically fall during the pandemic.

“It will be even more important this year as the RNLI Lifeboats and Lifeguards who keep our coasts and holiday beaches safer places for all to enjoy, are expected to be busier than usual with ‘staycation’ tourists.

“I also welcomed the West Mersea Lifeboat crew who do a great job in keeping watch over the Blackwater Estuary.

“I am so pleased that after a year of lockdown they were once again allowed publicity exercises to display their reassuring presence.”