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Tower Lifeboat Cycle Challenge arrives at Whitstable RNLI
It was a fine autumn evening when the five volunteers from Tower Lifeboat Station taking part in the stations cycle challenge to raise monies for the charity arrived at Whitstable RNLI on Thursday.
The challenge to cycle from RNLI Headquarters in Poole back along the South East coast to Tower Lifeboat Station on The Thames visiting as many lifeboat stations as possible including those in Kent started on 26th September.
And a core team of 5 or 6 volunteers where joined by additional riders on single days making 12 as they covered the 540km route.
Nick Harding, Thames Commander at Tower RNLI said “Since the station was formed in 2002 we have saved 540 lives and in honour of those saved we have embarked on the challenge, 1km for every life saved”
“Our aim is to raise £10,000 and today we stated at Walmer and have covered 66km over 9-hours with stops including Ramsgate and Margate and in Herne Bay for ice creams. It has been a beautiful day lots of sunshine and no steep hills, it has been great” he commented.
After staying at the station overnight the team set off for Gravesend on Friday morning on their penultimate leg before the final challenge to cycle onwards to Tower RNLI in full lifeboat gear.
Operating in the heart of central London, Tower Lifeboat Station is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in the world and has launched their lifeboats on over 11,000 services and has recently welcomed 30 new volunteers. Whilst the cycle challenge recognises the lives saved it is also helping to look to the future and provide funds for the training and equipping existing and new volunteers on which the station depends.
To donate to the Tower Cycle Challenge visit their Just Giving Page: https://tinyurl.com/Tower540km
RNLI Media Contacts
Chris Davey, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South East, [email protected]
Stella Sims, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 07483 316675, [email protected]
Sam Haddad, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for London and South East England, 01202 137713, [email protected]
Julie Rainey, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for London and South East England, 07827 358256, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.