Tob2Tob challenge gets off to a flying start
Tobermory RNLI’s #Tob2Tob challenge got off to a flying start earlier this month with the station’s volunteers being joined not only by local supporters but also friends from around the world.
Unable to hold its annual Lifeboat Day fundraising event, the lifeboat team on Mull came up with the idea of the challenge which is taking place throughout August.
During the first week of the challenge the station’s volunteers, friends and supporters walked, ran, cycled, swam and rowed the 3,205 miles between Tobermory RNLI lifeboat station and Tobermory Coastguard station in Ontario, Canada.
The challenge has been joined by Tobermory Coastguard Commanding Officer Sondi Schmidthorst Ryersee and her Canadian Coastguard colleagues while friends and supporters have also joined in from elsewhere in Canada, France, Romania, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
Highlights of the first week included: Former Tobermory volunteer crew member and emergency mechanic Jane Slade, accompanied by a Tobermory RNLI teddy, walked along the canal where she lives with her husband Ian on a barge in Brittany, France.
Supporter and friend Ciprian ‘Chip’ Jucan walked in 42 degrees in Bucharest, Romania while Tobermory’s retained Scottish Fire and Rescue firefighters gave the lifeboat crew a run for their money with Brian MacLeod and Bryan
Gibson putting in mega miles on their bikes.
Vanessa Maclean joined other wild swimmers on Mull to help cross the North Atlantic.
Caledonian MacBrayne Kilchoan ferry skipper Davie Graham set the bar high for the Best Dressed #Tob2Tob Challenger award by heading off for his first run wearing a kilt and a hard hat and Jackie Terry of Burlington, Ontario, has been showing off the beautiful area where she has been getting her steps in.
Lots of children and dogs have also joining in too.
Tobermory RNLI Station Coxswain David McHaffie said: ‘We are all blown away by how enthusiastic our friends and supporters have been about our #Tob2Tob Challenge.
‘To have so many people taking part not only on Mull but from around the world, including our Canadian friends at Tobermory Coastguard, means a lot to everyone at the station and we have loved seeing all the photos.
‘To have travelled more than 1,000 miles in the first week is a great achievement and we may have to think about going the scenic route across the Pacific to Ontario if we smash the Atlantic target or going #Tob2Tob.’