Win the Voyage of a Lifetime on board lifeboat 'Lucy Lavers'!

WIN THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME ON BOARD LIFEBOAT LUCY LAVERS!

Lifeboat Lucy Lavers is returning to Dunkirk this May, and the charity Rescue Wooden Boats is offering lucky bidders a very special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join in her preparatory journey to and from Ramsgate.

From 09.00 a.m. on Friday 6th March until Sunday 15th March, you can bid for a place onboard Lucy Lavers, on one of 7 legs of her exciting voyage as she makes her way down to Ramsgate and back. If you’re comfortable with being at sea, or know someone who is, this unique adventure will be an unforgettable experience.

The charity Rescue Wooden Boats was awarded a Heritage Lottery Grant to restore Lucy Lavers to her former glory. We are now fundraising in order to make this commemorative trip, 75 years after Operation Dynamo. Her very first trip as a newly-built lifeboat in May 1940 was helping the evacuation of British and Allied troops stranded in Dunkirk, France.

Lucy Lavers is a magnificent, 35.5 feet wooden boat, with a gleaming canopy, sails and an engine. After years of neglect, by May 2015 she will look her best again.

In early May 2015 Lucy Lavers will leave Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, calling at Lowestoft, Aldeburgh, Levington, Harwich, and Ramsgate. Here she will join other Dunkirk Little Ships and, in convoy, make the 75th anniversary commemorative voyage across the channel and back, as organised by the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.

The winning bidders can travel on board Lucy Lavers during the preparatory legs of her journey, experience being on this 1940 lifeboat, and feel the enormity of the extraordinary events she took part in. Places are available on the following legs;

Leg 1: Outward journey from Wells-next-the-Sea to Lowestoft, approx. 11.0 hours long, between 2nd to 6th May

Leg 2: Outward journey from Lowestoft to Aldeburgh via Southwold, approx. 8.0 hours long, on 11th (or 12th) May

Leg 3: Outward journey from Aldeburgh to Levington, approx. 4.5 hours long,
on 14th (or 15th) May

Leg 4: Outward journey from Harwich to Ramsgate, approx. 8.5 hours long,
on 17th (or 18th) May

Leg 7: Homeward journey from Ramsgate to Harwich, approx. 8.5 hours long,
on 26th (or 27th) May

Leg 8: Homeward journey from Harwich to Lowestoft, approx. 8.0 hours long,
on 27th (or 28th) May

Leg 9: Homeward journey from Lowestoft to Wells-next-the-Sea, approx. 11 hours long, on 28th (or 29th) May

All dates subject to weather and confirmation

Lucy Lavers’ journey will involve a team of volunteer sailing crews, onshore coordinators, and a film crew, all working together along her route to France and back. The sailing crew includes local RNLI Coxswains and some crew who have volunteered to take Lucy Lavers from port to port.

Visit our eBay profile from 6th March to bid: www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rescuewoodenboats - good luck!

Join our land crew! If your sea legs are lacking you can still help Lucy Lavers return to Dunkirk and back. You can:

Donate to a nautical mile and your name will be written in the commemorative book which will be on board Lucy Lavers during her journey. Text ‘LLDQ01 £3’ to 700 70, to donate £3, as many times as you like! Or visit www.rescuewoodenboats.com and click ‘Donate’.

Help with the travelling exhibition which will accompany Lucy Lavers en route, put up posters and flyers, and spread the word.

If you’d like to be involved, and become part of Lucy Lavers’ story, please contact Kate Faire, info@rescuewoodenboats.com / 07920 760238.