A thank you to Alex from Margate RNLI

Alex, who lives in Birchington, recently came to the end of a 9,500-mile, three- year long walk around the coast of the UK and Ireland where he visited every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations.

On a cold and blustery Sunday morning recently, the crew invited Alex along to join them in one of their regular training exercises. He was able to see the crew at work carrying out drills and learn first-hand how important fundraisers such as himself are in achieving the charity’s aim of saving lives around the coast.

Alex set out from Minnis Bay three years ago on his marathon walk and Margate lifeboat station was his first stop. Together with local supporters and crew members from some of the stations he visited, Margate’s lifeboat crew were on hand to welcome him back home and accompany him for the final (short!) stretch of the walk. So far Alex has raised around £70,000 and hopes to reach £90,000 representing £10 for each mile he walked.

It is not too late to donate to help Alex achieve his hard-earned target, follow this link to help! www.bt.com/DonateToLifeboats

Peter Barker, Margate RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: ‘Lifeboat crews rely totally on the efforts of fundraisers and supporters like Alex but his sacrificing three years of his life to raise funds is just remarkable to say the least. Taking him along on one of our exercises to see where the money goes is but a very small way of saying thank you.’

A photo of Alex along with the lifeboat crew can be downloaded from our facebook page 'RNLI Margate Lifeboat'

.

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

• Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.