The RNLI 911 Challenge nearly beaten by the weather
With only 28 of the 238 RNLI stations left to visit within their 911 hour challenge, Belinda and James Richardson and their bright orange Porsche 911 were nearly thwarted by Storm Bronagh.
However, Storm Bronagh threw a spanner in the works and the Sunday ferry was cancelled due to the inclement weather. As a result, the RNLI 911 Challenge team were forced to adapt their plans and were fortunate to able to get the overnight ferry which arrived in Jersey on Saturday morning.
They were welcomed first at St Helier RNLI Lifeboat station and then at St Catherine's by RNLI crew, Operations Management and the Lifeboat Guild, who brought their customary cakes. James and Belinda recounted some of their stories from their whistle stop tour of lifeboat stations around the coast, including the two stations where they had to move their car to allow for the lifeboat to launch. Before they left, the couple were presented with RNLI mementos at each of the stations.
Nigel Sweeny, Lifeboat Operations Manager for RNLI Jersey, stated:
"The RNLI is extremely fortunate to receive support from many people, however James and Belinda have gone beyond the call of duty in setting themselves a gruelling target of visiting 238 lifeboat stations in just 911 hours and aiming to raise at least £238 for each station. On behalf of all of us who volunteer for the RNLI, we are extremely grateful to them for setting such an ambitious fund-raising target."
The RNLI 911 Challenge will move on to St Peter Port on Monday 24 September and Alderney on Tuesday 25 September.
Further details can be found at http://www.rnli-911challenge.co.uk/
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.