Littlehampton Pebbles event sends cash rippling out to good causes

LA Pebbles on the Beach 2008 committee members presented the RNLI, SERV, Littlehampton St John Ambulance and the Capstan Fund a cheque for 1,000 each on Thursday.

Fergi Chilvers, one of the festival's organisers, said the event, on August 23, was amazing.

"All of the money came from the people of Littlehampton, which was what it was all about. we have been blown away by the amount raised."

Tyndall Jones, who founded the Capstan Fund in 2000, in memory of his godmother, Frances Harrison, a tireless charity collector, said the money would be split equally between the running costs of Littlehampton's bonfire night and carnival.

Emergency equipment

Jan Pearce, of the Littlehampton and Arundel RNLI Fundraising Branch, said it was wonderful that so many young people would support local charities, and added that it was only through kind donations that the lifeboat could continue its essential work.

The money given to St John Ambulance is intended to be spent on an "emergency grab bag".

Staff Sgt Alan Lee said such a bag would contain oxygen, a defibrillator and other live saving equipment.

"It would mean being able to take the bag to the patient, rather than the patient to the ambulance, and save valuable time."

SERV, which uses volunteer motorcycle riders to deliver emergency blood supplies to hospitals, will use its money to keep its fleet on the road.

Volunteer Clive Richards explained that, with rising fuel costs, the service was becoming more expensive to provide, adding that the 1,000 was much appreciated.

"This is a local charity, and it's great to be supported by local people."

Organisers are already planning LA Pebbles 09, which promises to be bigger and better than this year.

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