Rowan Johnson was one of 4,000 on water rations for two weeks

Rowan Johnson – British Red Cross worker by day and Chiswick RNLI volunteer by night – has had her first morning cuppa today (June 10) following her two- week 'water fast' to raise money for the lifeboat charity. Over 4,000 volunteers took part in the challenge aimed at raising a six-figure sum for the RNLI.

After completing the task she said, " It’s been a real challenge completing H2Only, but I’m glad that a bit of self-control has carried me through it. A cup of tea first thing in the morning is definitely what I've missed the most, and a hot drink after going out on a shout is very hard to pass up; but I’m excited to be nearing my fundraising target of £300.”

Volunteering as an RNLI lifeboat crew member since December 2012, Rowan is now, more than ever, aware of the life-saving work the RNLI does on the Thames 24/7. Chiswick is the second busiest lifeboat station in the UK, second only to central London’s Tower lifeboat station.

When on lifeboat duty, Rowan travels straight from her Moorgate work base to do a 12-hour overnight shift at Chiswick, before getting the train straight back to the office the next morning.

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews on the Thames carried out 430 rescues, saving 30 lives. There are four RNLI lifeboat stations on the Thames; Chiswick, Tower, Teddington and Gravesend.

Thousands of others took part in the event :

• Participants pledged to raise approximately £400,000 for the charity
• Over the two weeks, more than 1,500 baths of water has been drunk by those taking part

Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive, who took on the H2Only challenge said: ‘These two weeks have been so much tougher than I was expecting. I really missed my cup of coffee in the morning and so I know how hard it has been for all those who took part and supported our charity. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of them. Every single pound raised for the RNLI makes a difference.’

June 12, 2014