Fundraising RNLI fan
327. Harry Mascall
A Wilmslow-based eight-year-old has raised over £1,000 to support saving lives at sea by visiting lifeboat stations across the UK.
Harry Mascall has set himself a challenge to visit every lifeboat station in the UK to raise awareness and funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). He visits the stations during his school holidays and has so far visited 74 of the over 230 around the UK. He loves the sea and boats and really believes in the work the RNLI do.
Harry’s family have always gone to the UK coast for their holidays but his passion for lifeboats really started after a visit to a lifeboat station while staying on the Northumberland coast. Last year on a trip to Cornwall Harry decided he wanted to visit them all – so they now spend most of their holidays visiting lifeboat stations.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Harry has set himself a fantastic challenge to support a cause he is so inspired by. By visiting all 236 Lifeboat stations he is not only raising funds for the RNLI, he is also raising awareness of their vital work. Harry’s travels around the UK, with the support of his mum, have already raised over £1,000 and I wish him every success in completing his challenge and raising even more money. I am delighted to recognise his commitment and enthusiasm with this Points of Light award.”
Harry is in awe of the lifeboat volunteers and wants to become a crew member when he turns 17. On his visits he sees firsthand how the RNLI provide an on-all 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service.
His visits have taken him to the four corners of Britain including Anstruther in Scotland, St David’s in wales and the Lizard in cornwall. He’s even visited the Channel Islands.
George Osborne MP for Tatton said:
‘Harry is an extraordinary young man. Visiting 74 lifeboat stations all over the country to raise lifesaving funds for the RNLI would be no mean feat for an adult, never mind a seven-year-old. As his local MP I am incredibly proud of Harry and can’t wait to see what he goes on to do.’
Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive, said:
“As a charity, we rely completely on enthusiastic fundraisers like Harry .We are delighted that such an imaginative and dedicated young man should be recognised with an award from the Prime Minister. Well done Harry from all of us here at the RNLI!”