The original challenge was set to bring the marine boat to life – raising several thousand pounds for its build in 1994.
Now, 33 years later, the pioneering duo Gary Ward and Paul Phillips are rein-car-nating their mission, this time bound for Herm – with hopes to sustain the vessel’s life for a further 10 years.
‘The crossing to Sark in 1993 was quite pleasant,’ said Mr Ward, volunteer operations manager and former coxswain, who is leading the project, and ready to take the helm once again.
‘It took just over two hours and the car stood up well. When we got to Sark, the Sark folk were extremely generous and they towed us around the island behind a tractor.
‘The Flying Christine III is still running, but we’re now in a similar position where funds are much needed. Not just for the renovation but for the longer-term financial future.
‘Paul’s been badgering me for a few years to do it again, and so here we are.
‘It’s a big project, a big ask. All our spare time for the past few months has been poured into the new car conversion. But it’s amazing, we might have spent about £100 of the company funds – other than that it’s all been donated.
‘I’d like to thank all of the volunteers and everyone else who has helped us get this far. I feel so proud of the people who have come together to help.’
Mr Ward’s loyal pooch, Cass, had excitedly jumped aboard the first mission. And this year, his current dog, Schooner, will proudly don his predecessor’s life jacket.
Tony Collington has donated his Daihatsu motor to the present-day cause. The team – all volunteer boat crew and experienced mariners – have been busy preparing the car to float this summer.
They have taken out the engine, and filled every nook and cranny of its bodywork with expanding foam. It has been repainted, with the idea to advertise any sponsors who show their support.
It will be fitted with an outboard engine, and the driver’s seat and passenger seat are configured to face each other.
Though not quite complete, the nearly-bouyant fundraiser made its debut at Seafront Sunday last weekend.
It aims to become a regular feature, appearing at many future island events.
‘The car was a right-off when it came to us,’ said Mr Phillips, volunteer Flying Christine engineer.
‘We stripped it all out, and managed to make it a lot more bouyant than we could 33 years ago.
‘Back then we didn’t have expanding foam.
‘We took the engine out and just replaced it with some chopped empty gallon cans, put a bit of wood in it and off we went. I remember feeling a bit apprehensive when we sailed last time – but once we launched, it was a great feeling. And there’s a lot more gone into this.’
The team hope to raise as much money as possible through donations and sponsorship.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so online at ambulance.gg or by sending a cheque made payable to St John Ambulance and Rescue Service.
You need to be logged in to comment.