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Hats off to winner Les
Here he is – the winner of our fantastic Cruise the Coast competition.
Champion fundraiser Les Heyhoe and his wife Lyn are celebrating today after finding out they will be experiencing the millionaire lifestyle for a week on board a luxury yacht in the south of France.
The 52-year-old from Gosport was picked out by judges after raising, directly or indirectly, an incredible 10m for a whole host of charities including the Falklands Veterans' Foundation.
He began as a young recruit in the navy's writer branch, asking fellow sailors for aluminium pull rings that were then sold for scrap metal and made 1m. Thirty-six years later, Les is still fundraising with invaluable help from Lyn who does all the paperwork.
Les, an administration officer at VT Flagship in Gosport, recently cycled 178 miles from London to Cardiff with blind ex-Welsh guardsman Clive Jones on board a Zero Emission Machine – a quad bike without an engine. They raised more than 5,000 to enable Falklands war veterans to revisit the islands and stay in a newly-built lodge.
He says: 'Some people think I must be mad, but it's all about the thank-yous you get.'
The Heyhoes will leave on their trip of a lifetime later this month, joining the yacht Salu as it cruises the Cote d'Azur and drops anchor at the playgrounds of the rich and famous..
On the all-expenses-paid trip they'll get their own ensuite cabin and be able to soak up the glamour of Cannes, St Tropez and Antibes. They'll also visit Monaco, enjoying dinner at the famous Hotel de Paris followed by a visit to the casino and the chance to explore.
As if that isn't enough, they'll also receive: A Bang & Olufsen MP3 Player mobile phone; A bouquet of flowers from Send a Bunch and a bottle of Champagne
The aim of the competition, run in conjunction with The Coast radio station, was to reward those who work tirelessly for their community and who love to help others.
We asked for your nominations of those you felt deserved an unforgettable treat. Three finalists were picked and then whittled down to two in a public vote.
Then judges met earlier this week to decide on a winner for the Portsmouth area and winners for Southampton, Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight.
They found out when their names were revealed in The Coast breakfast show at 8am today.
PRIZES FOR RUNNERS-UP
Runner-up in Cruise the Coast is Lynne Caine from Waterlooville, who has spent 22 years raising funds for Basics (British Association for Immediate Care) Hampshire.
The charity supports the emergency services by providing specialist medical care at the scene of major incidents and on the way to hospital.
Lynne, 63, and husband Alan are now looking forward to their prize of a two-night mini cruise for two on the luxury P&O cruise liner Arcadia to Belgium, including two nights on board, a gala dinner, cocktail party and entertainment.
They will also receive a bouquet of flowers from Send a Bunch and a bottle of Champagne.
Third place went to Pat Butcher from Waterlooville, who has trained countless young athletes as a coach in Portsmouth for 35 years.
Pat receives: A luxury break for two at Careys Manor hotel and spa in the New Forest; A pair of tickets to see The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre, London; A bouquet from Send a Bunch and a bottle of Champagne
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
