Ben’s RNLI run will raise money for charity that rescued him
Commercial Yacht Master Ben Harris from Dorchester, Dorset will be running this year’s London Marathon to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI).
Ben, 33, will be paying tribute to the charity that rescued him and his National Lottery winning crew when their power boat engine broke down in Weymouth Bay.
RYA Instructor Ben was giving a lesson to new boat owners Edd and Michelle Edwards just half a mile from the Weymouth harbour entrance when the crankshaft broke on the Lotto winners’ powerboat, Alice. They called on the Portland Coastguard for help and, fortunately, the RNLI was performing a training exercise that morning in waters close by, and were able to send their inshore lifeboat to help the stranded group.
Ben said: “I heard the engine sounding a little rough at slow speeds, so I stopped the vessel and checked the engine to find the crankshaft wasn’t turning. We dropped the anchor and then called for help.
“Every day millions of people use the water and some occasionally have a problem. I’ve never had to call the RNLI before but Edd, Michelle and I all very much appreciated their help. The RNLI crew members are all volunteers who help to save lives all around the UK,so I’m glad to be able to give them something back.”
Edd, who won the lottery in August 2008, said: “We owe a lot to the RNLI. Luckily for us it was a calm and sunny day when we had our accident; I dread to think what would have happened had it been rough.
“A lot of boat owners take for granted that if anything goes wrong, the RNLI will be there to help them. It’s only when something does happen that they give the RNLI a thought, which could be too late.
“I think what Ben is doing is fantastic. He’s not only raising vital funds for such a great cause, but also raising awareness.”
Having taken part in the London Triathlon – the world’s largest – for the British Heart Foundation, Ben is no stranger to fundraising and is already planning to compete in an Ironman event to raise funds for a cancer charity after the marathon.
The part-time endurance triathlete is planning to run several half marathons before London to build stamina and is currently running three times a week over the Wessex downs.
Speaking of his love for boats, Ben said: “My father taught me how to sail in one of the oldest surviving clinker built sailing boats in Padstow and my passion grew from there.
“Over the years I built up my experience on different types of boats, including helping the disabled on board the tall ship ‘Lord Nelson’, and have now set up a RYA training centre.”
Ben runs BH Marine in partnership with the Royal Dorset Yacht Club in Weymouth as well as volunteering as an Ambulance First Responder in his local community near Dorchester.
He is hoping to raise £2,500 on his London Marathon run. To support him, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Ben-Harris
Tags: Ben Harris, Edd Edwards, Michelle Edwards, National Lottery, RNLI
