In October Raymond Hirst, secretary of Morecarnbe and Heysham branch, completed the Fastnet Challenge aboard Team Spirit, one of Sir Chay Blyth's 67' classic challenge round-the-world ocean racing yachts.

As a result of completing the Challenge, which involves racing from Plymouth to the Fastnet rock and back, Raymond (pictured at the helm) was able to present £600 to Morecambe lifeboat station thanks to the generosity of his sponsors..