Sarah's talk draws large groups of RNLI supporters

There were 145 people, who attended the Rutland and Melton’s RNLI branch’s latest fundraising event at Barnsdale Lodge last month - the largest crowd so far at one of the branch’s events.

Branch chairman Bill Roberts began the lunch by giving details of the large number of lives saved this year again by the RNLI and Lifeguards.

He said costs for equipment are constantly rising and stated that as the charity relies solely on donations and fundraising, he hoped everyone would spend as freely as possible. They raised £2,100 on the day.

During her talk guest speaker Sarah Outen encouraged anyone who felt inclined to do something new to go out and do it.

Her idea of traversing the world by sea and road was to see everything at a slow speed and be able to appreciate it. Her thoughts, however, on leaving London in 2011 in her kayak were – ‘What have I let myself in for?!’

She told how Prince Edward had been instrumental in her undertaking the adventure when he asked her: ‘What’s next on your agenda’ after she completed her solo row across the Indian Ocean.

She had hoped the journey would take two years but it took four after she was hampered by bad weather and a hurricane that blew her off course and saw her need rescuing. She eventually finished in November 2015.

The next RNLI fundraising event will be a race night in Grimston on November 19. Tickets are £6, including food, and to book call 01664 444228.