Couple in Porsche visit 238 RNLI stations to raise £130k
A couple from London has raised over £130,000 to fund a new Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat after visiting all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland.
Belinda and James Richardson undertook the challenge in their Porsche 911, aiming to secure funding for a new D class inshore lifeboat, a model frequently used by the RNLI in lifesaving operations.
The funds raised will cover the cost of the lifeboat, contribute to its maintenance, and provide training and equipment for three volunteer crew members. The initiative marks the couple’s third fundraising project for the RNLI.
“It was fantastic, quite gruelling at times, there’s always things that can go wrong, but that’s what makes it a challenge,” says Belinda of the 8,500-mile journey. “We didn’t always know what we were going to get, just like the RNLI crews, they don’t always know what’s going to happen. Everyone we met at the RNLI went beyond the call of duty, they were all genuinely kind and caring.”
The couple began their journey at Morecambe Lifeboat Station in Lancashire on 23 August and concluded 911 hours later at Peel Lifeboat Station on the Isle of Man. The newly funded lifeboat, to be named RNLI 911 Challenge, will be part of the RNLI’s relief fleet, enabling it to operate at various locations around the UK and Ireland. In 2023, D class inshore lifeboats rescued 96 people and assisted 2,028 others in difficulty.
“All the volunteers at every lifeboat station have been fantastic,” says Belinda. “On the days when we struggled to get up at 5am, we’d meet the crews and immediately they’d lift our spirits. It is our sponsors that have raised that money, it went beyond what we anticipated. They were donating because they wanted us to get that boat and we’re glad we could deliver on that promise. Thank you so much to everyone who helped us along the way.”
Jayne George, RNLI director of fundraising, adds: “We are incredibly grateful to Belinda and James for raising such a huge amount of money to help save lives at sea. Our crews and fundraisers loved welcoming them to our lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland on all their challenges and the money raised will not only fund a new D class inshore lifeboat – to be named in their honour – but also contribute towards its maintenance and pay for the training and kit for three volunteer crew members.
“The kindness of supporters like Belinda and James means so much to us. Without them we could not save lives at sea; every one is a lifesaver.”
The RNLI celebrated its 200th anniversary in March 2024, with events including a mile-long flotilla in Dorset that featured more than 20 historic RNLI lifeboats, the current lifeboat fleet including the most modern 25-knot lifeboat, the Shannon class, alongside current inshore lifeboats and the RNLI inshore rescue hovercraft.
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