Four RNLI sea survival trainers are taking part in a 24-hour liferaft challenge as part of Poole Afloat, the south coast’s biggest-ever free boating and watersports event.

The team will take to the water in Poole harbour (off Poole Quay) in a standard RNLI liferaft for 24 hours to raise money for the RNLI’s ‘Train One Save Many’ campaign.

They will endure claustrophobic, hot and cramped conditions in an attempt to raise over £6,800, which would cover the cost of six RNLI volunteers to attend sea survival training at the Lifeboat College in Poole.

Like desert island castaways, each member of the liferaft challenge team will be allowed to bring a single personal item on board, and they will also take food and provisions.

Members of the public will be able to see the ‘Adrift at Poole Afloat’ challenge taking place at Poole Quay on Saturday 23 June from 12:00pm, until Sunday 24 June at 12:00pm when the RNLI’s Poole lifeboat will rescue the castaways.

The Poole Afloat event, sponsored by Rockley Holiday Park, takes place at Harbourside Park and Poole Quay, between 10am and 5pm, and will also offer an exhibition of the latest sports boats, wind and kite boards, ‘Try-A-Boat’ sessions, scuba diving taster sessions, face painting, competitions and a host of other top entertainment – all for free!

Members of the public can support the ‘Adrift at Poole Afloat’ castaways by logging onto justgiving.com/adrift or by visiting the Train One Save Many stand on Poole Quay during Poole Afloat.