ERA Products, The Door Lock People, are helping the Pirates of Poole to set sail in the forthcoming ‘Harry Paye Charity Row’ which hopes to raise £30,000 for five charities. Thanks to a donation of £4,000, the pirates have been able to purchase the Cornish Gig required for two-week row along the south coast. Here’s a bit of history…

In 1405, when the Spanish and French burnt Poole to the ground searching for the infamous pirate ‘Harry Paye’, they had first landed in St Ives and had proceeded along the coast, burning and pillaging on the way. This year, The Pirates of Poole intend to take letters of apology to the people of Poole for any inconvenience caused during the search for Harry Paye all those years ago. These letters of apology will be presented as scrolls and handed to the Mayor of each town.

 ‘Paye Day’ is now an annual event in Poole to honour of one of its most famous pirates; there are still pirates in Poole today gathering treasure for good causes!

On the 15th May, The Pirates of Poole will take to the water in Lands End and will row a staggering 260 miles to Poole Quay. The pirates will complete the two-week row in full fancy dress, raising money along the way for Macmillan, Wessex Heart Beat, Headway, RNLI and The Royal Marines Charitable Trust.

ERA Products were approached for sponsorship by one of their long-standing customers, Dave Locke of Coastal Windows in Poole. ERA Products’ Managing Director Dave Hill commented, “ERA have developed a strong partnership with Coastal Windows, part of the A&B Group, in recent years and they continue to be a valued customer of ours. We wish everyone involved in the event huge success for the row and are very proud to be supporting the number of worthwhile causes involved.”