Fundraising appeal for new lifeboat in memory of Cornish teen who died in crash
Looe RNLI are trying to raise £78,000 to replace their 10-year-old inshore boat, the Ollie Naismith
Last updated 1st Mar 2021
The parents of a teenager who was seriously injured on the Cornish coast are backing an appeal for a new lifeboat.
17-year-old Louis Webber was at Nailzee Point in Looe when part of the cliff gave way.
He fell around 20ft onto the rocks below.
The town's RNLI have launched a campaign to replace their inshore lifeboat - Ollie Naismith.
Ollie was 19-years-old when he died in a crash on the A38 at Latchbrook.
His parents helped raise the money for the current D-class boat, named after their son.
Now, over 10 years on from the original appeal, they and the Webber family are working to help crews replace the vessel.
Louis Webber's Story:
On 10th June 2020, Louis Webber was at Nailzee Point in Looe with his mates when part of the cliff gave way beneath his feet.
The 17-year-old fell around 20ft onto the rocks below and suffered serious injuries.
He fractured his skull, had two bleeds on the brain, broke his collarbone, broke vertibrae in his neck and back, broke two ribs which punctured his lungs and shattered his kneecap.
The Ollie Naismith lifeboat was instrumental in Louis's rescue.
Recalling that evening, Louis's parents Emma and Mark Webber said: "If it was not for the fast response and care shown to Louis from the Looe RNLI volunteer crew, the outcome for Louis could have been very different.
"Without the D Class, Louis's rescue would have been impossible, this was the safest and quickest method, and all other methods could have put Louis at more risk of further injury when he was already fighting for his life".
Emma goes on to say: "When the crew told us the Ollie Naismith was reaching the end of its operational life, we are determined to ensure the volunteer crew have a replacement lifeboat to continue their amazing lifesaving service to the community of Looe".
Ollie's dad John Naismith said: "The appeal for the first Ollie Naismith came at the hardest time of my life. It gave me, Ollie's Mum, and his sister Tori something positive to focus on at that dark time. I took huge comfort in the massive support that the appeal generated and from the affection that the crew have for Ollie's lifeboat. That the crew are so keen on the new lifeboat to be named Ollie Naismith II is wonderful".
The Appeal:
Between November 2010 and December 2020, the Ollie Naismith lifeboat has launched 184 times, rescued 138 people, and saved six lives.
A D class inshore lifeboat has served Looe since 1992 but, next year, the current D Class Ollie Naismith will have reached the end of its operational life and needs to be replaced.
The appeal aims to raise the total amount needed to build the lifeboat, deliver it to station, together with all the relevant kit and provide the necessary ongoing crew training.
In launching the appeal for the Ollie Naismith II, the volunteer crew and fundraising team at Looe Lifeboat Station, together with the Naismith and Webber families are passionate that the lifesaving legacy of the Ollie Naismith continues well into the 2030s.
The RNLI says launching this appeal during a pandemic means that many traditional fundraising activities are on hold until lockdown restrictions are relaxed but they are still marking the launch virtually with the premiere of the appeal video on the RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station facebook page.
The appeal team are planning fundraising events, including concerts in the boathouse, beach activities and open days, details of these will be released when circumstances allow. In the meantime, we are looking to use social media to promote our appeal and would love our followers and supporters to share it with friends and engage with their own socially distanced fundraisers.
Dave Haines, RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Looe, says: "The D class lifeboat Ollie Naismith is a vital asset to the town and has proved itself time and time again, launching to shouts in all weather conditions.
"The D Class is able to go up river into shallow water or get right into the beaches and coves at the foot of the cliffs along our coastline from Pencarrow head, eastwards along Whitsand bay to Rame head. Looe and its surrounding coastline is extremely popular, especially in the summer months, there is our fishing fleet to protect and the many leisure craft that journey past Looe between Fowey and Plymouth.
"This new D class inshore lifeboat compliments the bigger Atlantic 85, B class lifeboat that the RNLI also base at Looe".
RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at Looe, Dave Haines
How can I help the appeal?
People wishing to support the appeal can donate and/or fundraise in a number of ways
Visit the RNLI's JustGiving page here.
Visit the RNLI's donate page here.
Make a direct donation to the appeal by contacting the fundraising team at looernli@rnli.org.uk, who can provide on-line banking details or a postal address for your donation.
If you want to hold a fundraising event or activity you can setup your own JustGiving page by visiting the Looe Lifeboat Appeal on JustGiving and clicking on the "Start Fundraising" button.