by Rebecca Hannant
Two Withernsea women are undertaking fundraising challenges to raise money for Blue Light Weekend 2025.
On Friday, November 8, Withernsea Mermaids founder Carolyn Waudby will brave a helicopter underwater escape training simulator, nicknamed “the Dunker.”
Run by Humberside Offshore Training Association (HOTA), the simulator is used to train people in the offshore rescue industries, including the fire brigade, police air support units, the Royal Air Force, and more. It simulates a real-life emergency and can complete a 180-degree revolution in a 4.5m-deep pool.
Participants are briefed before they are lowered inside the shell into a pool as it fills with water, and they must then free themselves as the shell submerges and rotates. The simulator is also regularly used to support fundraising events for local charities.
Carolyn said: “I am doing the challenge out of respect for the emergency services, such as the RNLI crews who are volunteers and must undertake similar training. As a sea swimmer, I really appreciate their dedication to keeping people safe, often putting themselves at risk.
“Steve Medcalf, the inspiration behind Blue Light Weekend, was very encouraging of our group of sea swimmers and was happy to offer advice to keep us safe. Blue Light Weekend is an excellent event, so when this opportunity arose, I wanted to try to raise money to support next year’s event, not just by volunteering on the weekend.”
Meanwhile, lead Blue Light Weekend volunteer Julie Walker has challenged herself to walk 160 miles throughout November to raise money for next year’s event, set for August 2-3 in Withernsea. Julie has already raised more than £1,000 for the event.
In February 2024, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and a rare type of appendix cancer. After undergoing four cycles of chemotherapy, she is awaiting news to see if further treatment is required. Despite this, Julie says she loves walking and is starting her Blue Light Weekend 2025 fundraising with this walking challenge.
Blue Light Weekend event co-director Andy Medcalf said: “We’re so grateful to Carolyn and Julie for their brave and selfless fundraising efforts in aid of Blue Light Weekend, which will help us so much in our efforts to make next year’s event bigger and better.
“I’d like to wish them both the best of luck, and I have no doubt they’ll smash it!”
To donate to Carolyn and Julie’s fundraisers, visit give.bluelightwithernsea.com.
