Thank You to All who Raised Money at this year’s Rustman Event

Rustman story

Rustman is the brainchild of Chris Shaw and Richard Webster, who share a lifelong love of outdoor endurance sport. Both men have a passion for the promotion of mental health and community through exercise, and both were selected as Olympic torch bearers in 2012 in recognition of their contributions. Chris and Rich harboured an ambition to plan an endurance event through which friends with a similar love of the local outdoors, choosing to accept the significant risks associated, would support each other through an endurance event similar to an Ironman but free to be non-corporate, non-profit and completed entirely under their own steam. Thus the Rustman was born, so named to represent the creaky knees and aching limbs of athletes of a certain age!

2025 challenge will see the mixed group of competitors going from Sea to Summit – starting at Fort Perch rock, next to New Brighton Marine lake and cycling / swimming & running to the Summit of Yr Wyddfa, as part of the journey will see the team running and swimming across the river Dee from Hilbre island to Talacre in North Wales, then cycling down the coast before turning inland & heading to Llanberis & then swimming llan Padarn & then heading upto the Summit of Yr Wyddfa. Please click here to donate to this year’s Rustman Challenge which will see a number of intrepid members of our community cycling, running and swimming from New Brighton to Llanberis. The challenge includes a run/swim from Hoylake to Talacre, cycling the rest of the journey to Llanberis, over the Great Orme on the way, swimming Llyn Padarn and then climbing up and down Yr Wyddfa. Funds raised will all go the Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake. 

The Friends consists of a small committee which is supported by a wider community of volunteers. 

Every penny we receive is invested in some way or other to improve the lake as a Community Asset where everyone is welcome. 

Just to give you a quick update on what  we’ve done in the last two years and where are long term aspirations are heading. Some highlights are listed below;

Scientific report commissioned on the health of the lake and we are working to implement its findings.

Regular clean up operations now take place with Community support. At least 26 trollies, 12 bikes, chairs, tables, cones and over 200 bags of rubbish has been removed. We use a boat, netting, a variety of cleaning equipment and safety gear to carry out this work.

The sluices are being cleared and a program of installing cast iron grates on the external wall is being carried out.

A large Mural ‘Spirit of Lake’ will be installed over the Summer on the internal lake wall. This will be a mesmerising feature bringing much attention to the lake. 

We are currently immersed in discussions with Wirral CVS, Wirral Council and a larger group of potential supporting organisations to take our long term aspirations forward.

We have in Principle an agreement with the Council to lease the lake once we have formally completed the process of becoming a Community Interest Organisation.

As lease holders we will be investing in improving the lake as a Community Asset open to all non-internal combustion engine activities (with the exception of the RNLI who use the lake for safety training).

Through friendship, support and encouragement we hope to see the lake as a place where people of all abilities will gain confidence and flourish and improve their mental and physical well being through the many benefits open water offers. 

In terms of Financial Governance we have adopted a formal financial policy and all the Committee Members have received training and have agreed to the Principles of good financial practices.

Before any money is spent the Committee discuss the proposals,  health check it aligns with our fundamental principles and agreed investment priorities and then a vote is taken. If agreed our treasurer carries out an assessment of available funding and highlights any risks with that spend, ie potential limitation on spend on other projects. Only after this process has been followed the spend approved.

I’m providing this information to provide reassurance that whatever money is raised we will ensure that it is spent wisely on improving the lake for the benefit of all.

Thank you again for your support and a massive Thank You to all those taking part and supporting this event.