Chartered Surveyor drops in at RNLI Torbay during epic fundraising walk!

Graham, who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queens New Years Honours, January 2014 for Charitable Services, is part way through an epic walk from The Lizard (Cornwall) to Poole (Dorset) to raise funds for the RNLI. He set off from Cornwall on 1 June and arrived here in Brixham last Friday evening, where he stayed overnight.

Before he set off again on Saturday morning, there was time for a quick look at the RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat Alec & Christina Dykes, and a chat with David Ham MBE (Torbay lifeboat team) and Mark Criddle OBE, station coxswain. Graham also met Lifeboat Visits Officer Carol Pearson and took a look at the beautiful Severn class lifeboat before setting off on the next leg of his walk.

Graham had completed 200 miles by the time he arrived in Brixham, and has already raised a whopping £3,000 for the RNLI - he aims to finish his walk in Poole on 30 June. If you would like to support Graham's amazing effort, his Just Giving fundraising page can be found at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/graham-ellis-bem

A HUGE thank you to Graham for this fantastic effort, it was a pleasure to welcome you to RNLI Torbay!

Notes to editors

Photo shows Graham Ellis with RNLI Torbay all-weather lifeboat Alec & Christina Dykes in the background (credit: David Ham)

Torbay Lifeboat Station Key Facts:

• Torbay lifeboat station has been operating since 1866. To learn more about the station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/torbay-lifeboat-station
• Coxswain of Torbay Lifeboat is Mark Criddle
• Further information on Torbay Lifeboat Station’s local activities can be found at: http://www.torbaylifeboat.co.uk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnlitorbay
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RNLITorbay

RNLI media contacts

Victoria Bowen, RNLI Torbay Lifeboat Press Officer

07794 043 428 or [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer:

01752 854450 or [email protected]

or RNLI Public Relations at Poole HQ on 01202 336 789 (24 hours)

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.