A FISHERMAN has come out of retirement to row 100 miles to the Isle of Wight and back to fund-raise for his church’s efforts to commemorate the late Queen’s lifetime of service.
Ross Fisher, 76, from Felpham, thought that he had laid down his oars after a series of charity fund-raisers in previous years, but he has now been persuaded to do yet one more for a recent window in St Mary’s, Felpham.
Many of the church’s stained-glass windows were blown out in the course of the war, and replaced with plain glass. Some were subsequently replaced with stained glass, but two plain-glass windows remain, considered one of which is by the choir. When the sun shines, choristers struggle to see through the glare, the Rector, the Revd John Challis, said.
Mr Fisher is waiting for a good-weather window to undertake his three-day trip, from Felpham to Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, and around the island, calling in at other ports to boost funds before returning home. Depending on tides, the space is about 100 miles, and he plans to sleep in his boat, or on beaches for 2 nights. His wife, Alison, will track his progress for watching supporters.
Mr Fisher said that he had lived in Felpham just about all of his life, moving there when he was two, and that the great reason behind raising money for the church to commemorate the Queen had encouraged him to dig out his oars and his 12-foot boat again. “The window shall be there for a whole lot of years, long after I’ve gone,” he said.
A former coastguard, he can also be President of the Felpham Sailing Club, and, as a fisherman, has spent most of his life at sea, as did his grandfather, who was a fisherman from the Isle of Wight.
Mr Challis said that the church needed to boost £38,000 to pay for the brand new window, but hoped to get some grant funding to complement Mr Fisher’s fund-raising efforts.
The recent window will feature emblems commemorating the Queen’s lifetime of service, including symbols of the Commonwealth, flowers from all parts of the UK, and the number 70 to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
To support the window appeal, visit justgiving.com/stmarysfelpham
