Walk raises funds for Burnham Area Rescue Boat

Debbie Keates and Mandy Bettany, who live in Burnham-on-Sea, raised funds for BARB on Saturday, May 14 by walking from Burnham Pier Pavilion to Brean Café, and back, along the beach.

Debbie and Mandy completed the 14-mile walk in about five hours and a half and were “overwhelmed” by the support they received along the way.

Debbie, right, and Mandy, during their walk

Debbie said: “BARB it’s a very important and vital service not just for the people who live here but also for tourists and holidaymakers.

“During lockdown and Covid they haven’t been able to do much.”

Their initial target was 150 but so far they have managed to raise around 400.

Debbie also said: “We had great support from everyone around us on Friday. The support we had on the beach from people we didn’t even know, was amazing, we were overwhelmed.

“We just felt very proud.”

Debbie and Mandy are taking the collection bucket to BARB on Wednesday, May 18.

Debbie and Mandy started their walk from the Burnham Pier

BARB Search & Rescue operates two life-saving Hovercrafts and 2 Inshore Rescue Boats in Somerset.

BARB is affiliated with Surf-Lifesaving GB being able to provide mutual aid to other teams in and around the region and support National Resilience to flooding with our fully trained Flood Team.

The team support Coastguard, Police, Fire, and Ambulance on the front line when called upon with our dedicated volunteers 24 hours a day.

BARB is a charity that relies on public donations to keep operating with running costs of around £50,000 a year.

Debbie also said: “We really enjoyed it, we will definitely do it again.”

The fundraising page is still active and can be visited here.