Hans J Marter

26 November, 2008

SHETLAND port missioner Paul Govier is preparing for the challenge of a lifetime when he raises funds for the Lerwick fishermen's mission by walking the Great Wall of China, in October next year.

Mr Govier will be accompanied by nursing student Jonathan Stickle, 21, whose mother Phyllis runs the mission's office admin in the isles.

The 48 year old said he was living by the motto of leading from the front, adding that he could not expect others to raise funds when he was not prepared to do it for himself.

"This is a once in a lifetime. I always wanted to do something special before turning 50," he said.

The pair have set themselves the target of raising between £6,500 and £8,000 towards the mission’s work in Shetland. They will travel as part of a 15 strong group of mission people from across the country.

All funds Paul and Jonathan raise will go towards the Lerwick mission's overall fundraising target of £16,000 per annum, set by the mission's Fareham head office.

The men follow in the footsteps of Lerwick man Stanley Manson who together with his daughter Suzanne raised £15,000 for the RNMDSF by completing a similar trip in October last year.

Mr Govier said last night he was planning to organise a number of fundraising events in the run up to the Chinese mission such as coffee mornings.

People can help raise funds by filling in the sponsor form held in the Lerwick mission office at Stewart Building on the Esplanade, Tel. 01595 69 2703, or by logging on to www.justgiving.com/paulgovier1 

"In sponsoring us it will mean that the fishermen's mission will be able to offer pastoral, emergency and welfare support to fishermen and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

"Having worked for the mission for five years, I have seen the difference we can make to people's lives, and the joy we can bring," he said.