The bright yellow Flying Christine floating car has completed the second leg of its inter-island challenge, crossing from Guernsey to Herm in around 45 minutes on Sunday 20th September.
Crewed by Gary Ward and Paul Phillips, the converted car made the journey across the Little Russel, accompanied by a flotilla of support boats, including the Flying Christine III marine ambulance.
A large crowd had gathered on Herm’s quay to welcome the crew, including the island’s volunteer Community First Responders and residents. Herm tenants John and Julia Singer were among the first to congratulate them.
The arrival is believed to mark the first time a car has been seen on Herm since the 1960s. The crossing followed the car’s successful journey from Guernsey to Sark earlier in the month, as part of the challenge to raise funds for the Flying Christine III.
Paul Phillips said the crossing had gone well, despite initially unpromising weather. “It was a good crossing, despite the weather looking a bit miserable at first with some fog and drizzle, but that cleared, the winds dropped and the sun came out just in time,” he said.
The team used a more powerful outboard motor for the journey, loaned by Steve Clark of Commercial Trade Centre, which helped them make good progress.
Paul added that some water had entered the car during the crossing, but the crew were able to manage it by pumping it out periodically.
Gary Ward said the departure from St Peter Port had attracted some attention. “As we left St Peter Port we did get some strange looks and comments from some French tourists who could not quite believe the car would float, but I’m happy to say that it did – and we made the crossing in good time,” he said.
Gary also thanked Harbour Master James Way for allowing the use of the Harbour RIB to accompany the crossing after one of the planned guard boats had to withdraw at short notice.
He also thanked Whiteway Motors for providing fuel for the car, Jon Marquis of Cuckoo Lane Farm for donating the hog roast, and the team at the White House for providing catering. Money raised from the hog roast is also being donated to the Flying Christine fund.
Chief Ambulance Officer John Atkins congratulated Gary and Paul on completing the second crossing and thanked everyone who had supported the challenge.
“Gary and Paul have triumphed again. We are very grateful to them and to the other marine ambulance volunteers who have put so much time and effort into this challenge,” he said.
He also acknowledged the businesses that had contributed their skills and services to prepare the car, along with everyone who had donated towards keeping the Flying Christine III maintained and operational so it can continue its lifesaving work across the islands.
Paul said around £15,000 had been raised so far through the trips to Sark and Herm, with donations still coming in.
“Money is still coming in, but we have raised about £15,000 so far from the trip to Sark and Herm. We’d like to keep adding to that total, so the fundraising doesn’t stop here,” he said.
He encouraged people to support the appeal by donating through ambulance.gg or by scanning the QR code displayed on the car and fundraising posters.
Businesses and individuals wishing to sponsor the sailing car challenge can visit ambulance.gg and click the ‘Support the Flying Christine III marine ambulance’ button, or contact Paul Phillips directly on 07781 116309. Donations can also be made in person at the ambulance station on the Rohais.
The Flying Christine III is a charitable asset operated by St John Ambulance and Rescue Service in Guernsey. It is crewed by skilled volunteers from the marine community, including coxswains, navigators and engineers.
The purpose-built marine ambulance is equipped like a road ambulance and transports paramedic teams to Herm, Sark and Alderney, providing advanced pre-hospital care and medical transport for sick and injured islanders.
Built with public support, the vessel is maintained through a combination of charges, subscriptions and sponsorship.
St John has operated Guernsey’s ambulance service since 1936, providing the service on behalf of the States of Guernsey through a grant from the Committee for Health and Social Care. The grant contributes towards operating costs, with the remainder met through a range of sources, including subscriptions.
The service responds to around 10,000 calls each year, approximately 7,000 of which are emergency and urgent calls, with around 3,000 relating to non-emergency patient transfers.
St John Ambulance and Rescue Service also operates Alderney’s ambulance service, where ambulances are funded through taxation and are free at the point of delivery.
The fundraising challenge is helping to support the continued maintenance and operation of the Flying Christine III, ensuring it can continue delivering its vital marine ambulance service across the Bailiwick.
Chief Ambulance Officer John Atkins congratulated Gary and Paul on completing the second crossing and thanked everyone who had supported the challenge.
“Gary and Paul have triumphed again. We are very grateful to them and to the other marine ambulance volunteers who have put so much time and effort into this challenge,” he said.
He also acknowledged the businesses that had contributed their skills and services to prepare the car, along with everyone who had donated towards keeping the Flying Christine III maintained and operational so it can continue its lifesaving work across the islands.
Paul said around £15,000 had been raised so far through the trips to Sark and Herm, with donations still coming in.
“Money is still coming in, but we have raised about £15,000 so far from the trip to Sark and Herm. We’d like to keep adding to that total, so the fundraising doesn’t stop here,” he said.
He encouraged people to support the appeal by donating through ambulance.gg or by scanning the QR code displayed on the car and fundraising posters.
Businesses and individuals wishing to sponsor the sailing car challenge can visit ambulance.gg and click the ‘Support the Flying Christine III marine ambulance’ button, or contact Paul Phillips directly on 07781 116309.
The Flying Christine III is a charitable asset operated by St John Ambulance and Rescue Service in Guernsey. It is crewed by skilled volunteers from the marine community, including coxswains, navigators and engineers.
The purpose-built marine ambulance is equipped like a road ambulance and transports paramedic teams to Herm, Sark and Alderney, providing advanced pre-hospital care and medical transport for sick and injured islanders. Built with public support, the vessel is maintained through a combination of charges, subscriptions and sponsorship.
St John has operated Guernsey’s ambulance service since 1936, providing the service on behalf of the States of Guernsey through a grant from the Committee for Health & Social Care. The grant contributes towards operating costs, with the remainder met through a range of sources, including subscriptions.
The service responds to around 10,000 calls each year, approximately 7,000 of which are emergency and urgent calls, with around 3,000 relating to non-emergency patient transfers.
The fundraising challenge is helping to support the continued maintenance and operation of the Flying Christine III, ensuring it can continue delivering its vital marine ambulance service across the Bailiwick.
