She’s now being recognised for her efforts with the RNLI Youth Supporter Award, to be presented at a ceremony in London on 23 May.
Natasha, 15, from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, has athetoid cerebral palsy which affects all of her limbs and speech. Using a specially adapted boat, Miss Isle Too, which allows Natasha to steer by sucking and blowing into a tube, she undertook a round-the-Island voyage on 9 September last year. She has so far raised over £17,000 for the RNLI and two other charities close to her heart.
Natasha was inspired to raise money for the RNLI after her sailing instructor was injured during a boat race and rescued by the charity’s volunteer crew.
She said: 'Cowes lifeboat helped my friend last year who was involved in an accident - so now it’s my chance to help them!'
Mark Southwell, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Cowes Lifeboat Station, said: ‘Through Natasha’s fundraising our lifeboat station has been equipped with a new kitchen – no lifeboat station works without a nice strong cup of tea, so it’s undoubtedly one of the most important parts. We’re very grateful for that.
‘The crew have become firm friends with both Natasha and her family. We owe an awful lot to Tash, and we just hope we never have to meet professionally!’
On the day of the challenge, the crew from Cowes launched their inshore lifeboat for the final leg of Natasha’s journey, and held up a banner welcoming her back to the harbour, accompanied by the cheers of a large crowd.
Natasha’s mother Amanda summed up the emotion of the day: ‘The moment Natasha crossed the finish line, there wasn’t a dry eye on any of the boats.’
But Natasha won’t stop there – her next adventure is to cross the Channel from Dover to Calais in Miss Isle Too in July of this year. You can find out more about her adventure via her website, www.missisle.com.
ENDS
Notes to editors
• The RNLI’s annual presentation of awards takes place at the Barbican Centre in London on 23 May. Medals for gallantry are presented to selected crew, volunteers and lifeguards. Fundraisers and corporate partners are also recognised for their contribution to the charity.
• A short film about Natasha’s story will be available on the RNLI’s Press Centre after the awards ceremony at 2.30pm on 23 May.
• Other recipients of RNLI Supporter Awards will feature on RNLI social media channels in the coming weeks, and will use the hashtag #ProudOfOurCrowd.
• Photo shows Natasha with her boat, Miss Isle Too. Please credit RNLI.
Natasha Lambert
• The total raised by Natasha in her round-the-island voyage was £17,758.47.
• The other two charities that Natasha’s total fund will be split between are Isle of Wight Scope and the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
• Follow Natasha’s progress at www.missisle.com
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact:
• Lauren Hockey, Public Relations Officer, on 01202 336194 or by email at lauren_hockey@rnli.org.uk