RNLI – 911 Challenge in Longhope

Today RNLI Longhope were pleased to see the safe arrival of Belinda and James Richardson in their splendid Porsche 911. They are in the process of driving around the whole of the British Isles, visiting all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations. The challenge is to do this journey in 911 hours and the clock is ticking.

They intend to raise in excess of £238 per lifeboat station with the grand total being a very impressive £56,644 for the RNLI.

Starting at Teddington lifeboat station on the 23 August they hope to finish at Tower on 30 September. Belinda and James, a retired couple from London, say they have been fervent supporters of the RNLI for over 20 years and have a passion for Porsches. A great combination to raise funds and promote the aims of the RNLI.

A rather intriguing feature of their journey is to get each station to tie any type of knot on a piece of string which is then attached to a long length of rope. Ours was a blood knot, deftly tied by Angus but I noticed some very fancy knot work created by previous stations. This rope will finally adorn a 3m high map of the British Isles with each knot indicating its station. It should look really interesting and quite unique.

Belinda and James have had a wonderful journey so far and are really enjoying meeting all the volunteers that keep these stations going. Walking down the pier after visiting our lifeboat, Belinda said:‘We’ve been made very welcome at each station, people are very friendly and it’s not just about the crew but all those that support them in each community. Their loved ones, friends, and everyone who works behind the scenes. It really does feel like one big family.’

We wish Belinda and James all the best on their journey and thank them and all those that are supporting them, in their venture to help the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.

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.