Fundraising cyclist visits Scarborough RNLI
Steven McAllister from Bristol is cycling around Britain and Ireland, visiting all 237 lifeboat stations and raising funds for the RNLI. On 19 May, his epic journey brought him to Scarborough – and his 117th station.
Steven started at Penlee, near Land’s End in Cornwall, in September. By 21 October, he had visited every station up to Silloth, in Cumbria.
After taking the winter off, he recommenced his journey at Silloth and has since visited every station in mainland Scotland and the Scottish islands.
Thursday 19 May his ride began in Whitby and ended in Bridlington.
By the time he has finished, he will have cycled about 7,500 miles. He hopes to complete his trek around the British islands, including the Channel islands and Isle of Man, this year. He also hopes to have at least made a start on Ireland.
Steven got the bug when his mother-in-law, an RNLI fundraiser in Lowestoft, died and he did a sponsored ride, from St David’s to Lowestoft, in her memory.
Celebrating his achievement afterwards, the local media asked him, “What next?”
Under the influence of Champagne, he pledged “to cycle to every RNLI lifeboat station in Great Britain and Ireland”.
So far, he has cycled over 3,000 miles and raised more than £2,000.
Steven can be sponsored online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StevenMcAllister1.
Follow his progress via his blog: www.rnlicoastalcycleride.com
RNLI Media contacts
For further details, ring Scarborough RNLI press officer Dave Barry on 07890 322992.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen, Carrybridge and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland