Littlehampton lifeboat donor's son in Suffolk to Sussex charity cycle
In 2014 Littlehampton RNLI received their new D class lifeboat Ray of Hope which was funded by a donation from Ray and Val Humby. This year their son David and a few friends are riding their bikes from Aldeburgh RNLI lifeboat station to Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat station.
David said: 'As part of the 50th anniversary of Littlehampton RNLI station and, in a moment of madness, I, my neighbour Nick, and a few other friends decided it would be a good idea to link our local station in Aldeburgh with Littlehampton and raise funds for both while cycling from one to the other.'
The ride will be a total journey of 178 miles in 2 days. The cyclists will start on Saturday 29 April and depart from Aldeburgh at 10am with a stopover in Orpington, Kent at approximately 5.30pm, after negotiating the many towns in Essex and a Ferry Crossing.
The following day they'll leave at 10.30am, aiming to arrive in Littlehampton no later than 4pm for a well-deserved drink. The timings are based on an average speed of 16 mph, but David said the group are hoping to do it quicker.
He said: 'My family has always had the lifeboat bug and whilst Aldeburgh station is the first I remember visiting at the age of 10, the D-Class inshore lifeboat Ray of Hope at Littlehampton is particularly close to our hearts. It costs £1,593 to kit out one crew member in the required protective gear but we're hoping to beat that target - so to encourage you to part with your well-earned cash Adnams and Greene King Breweries have both kindly donated a crate of beer to be sent to the two people who sponsor us the most!'
In addition to the promise of beer, Nick has challenged his colleagues at NatWest Bank to raise at least £500 towards the total target. And, as if cycling to Littlehampton wasn’t hard enough, if his staff and colleagues reach the £500 he has agreed to let his fellow managers wax his legs.
The lifeboat crew members of the RNLI are all volunteers and unpaid but still willing to go out in all weathers whenever asked. There are also three London stations, two of which are the busiest stations in the country.
Many RNLI crew members also volunteer for Flood Rescue Teams whenever the need arises. On average the RNLI save 22 lives a day and the service is funded almost entirely by charitable donations. Without the support of the great British public these rescues just wouldn't be possible.
To find out more about the cycle ride, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RNLIRide
RNLI media contacts
- Ray Pye, Littlehampton RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer / 07854 074688, email [email protected]
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 email [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789 email [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 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.