Four Sherborne fundraisers cycle from St Petersburg to the UK in aid of the RNLI
Four former Sherborne school pupils have completed a 2,000-mile cycle from St Petersburg in Russia back to the UK raising almost £5,000 in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Tom James and Rory McMillan, who have previously completed a trip around the UK in support of the RNLI, were joined by Oliver 'Beanie' Lawson and George Sarson for their 2,000-mile cycle.
The four cyclists travelled to St Petersburg in late July and set off for a ride through the forests of Finland despite the risk of encountering bears. From Finland, the graduates rode across Sweden, where it rained for eight days straight. Once they were through Sweden, their route took them across Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
Once they reached the Hook of Holland, they took an overnight ferry to Harwich to complete the final UK leg of their journey. At the ferry terminal, they were greeted by family, friends and the Harwich lifeboat coxswain, Neal Sandquest and their mechanic, Di Bush.
The university graduates helped raise £4,720 and over 118 people gave donations.
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.