Twin brothers raise huge sum for RNLI after auctioning their twin classic cars

The auction took place at House and Son Auctioneers in Bournemouth in front of a packed crowd. Both cars started off with bids of £500 and were sold in less than six minutes to the same person, a telephone bidder, for £2,050 and £2,100 each. After auctioneer’s costs were deducted the sale had raised a total of £4,027.60 for the RNLI.

One car was an MG Limited Edition 1981, one of only 208 built, with only 48,555 miles on the clock, wire wheels, USA sidelights and a Pioneer radio. The other was an MCB LE Roadster 1982, one of only 212 built, with only 33,429 miles on the clock, allow wheels, USA sidelights and a Kenwood radio.

After the auction Jamie Luke said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that our twin cars have raised so much money for the RNLI. It is a fabulous charity which does so much for saving lives at sea. Having spent the great part of our working lives at sea, we feel so honoured and privileged in some small way to give back and to play our part.’

The brothers, both aged 67, were born in Bournemouth and spent 24 years at sea together working for the Cunard Line on the Queen Elizabeth 2; Jamie was the Purser and David was the Finance Officer. In the 1980s they both purchased a MGB Limited Edition roadster each, but this year had decided it was time to sell their beloved cars to benefit the RNLI as they had not been driven for over 20 years.

David now lives in Florida with his American wife and Jamie spends much of the year there. However this hasn’t stopped him regularly volunteering at the RNLI College Shop in Poole during visits to Dorset to see family since January 2014.

Ali O’Neill, RNLI Philanthropy Manager, said: ‘We are thrilled that Jamie and David decided to raise money for the RNLI and in such an innovative way. This is the first time that we’ve had twins donate twin cars to help us raise funds and it has been a very exciting time for everyone. Their support is truly appreciated and they can be confident that the donation from the car auction will go towards supporting our lifesaving work.’

Thanks to your support our lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 558 lives in 2016. Whether organising an event in your local community or becoming a volunteer there are many ways to the support the RNLI to save lives at sea. You can find out more about the charity’s vital work and how you can help to support it at RNLI.org/support-us.

RNLI notes to editors

The enclosed photos show:

• Jamie and David Luke after the successful auction of their MGs.
• The two MG LE sports cars.
• Jamie and David Luke posing with their near identical sports cars, with the Queen Elizabeth 2 in the background.
• Jamie Luke on board a Shannon class lifeboat with other RNLI College Shop volunteers and volunteer tour guides from the RNLI College.
• RNLI Philanthropy Manager Ali O’Neill with Jamie Luke at the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset.

Please credit Jamie Luke for all photos.

For more information contact Jade Dyer, RNLI Communications Student Placement, at [email protected]. You can also contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager (South), on 07920 818807 or by emailing [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.

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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.