Award for RNLI Volunteer Walker
Volunteer RNLI fundraiser Deb Blackburne has been awarded a letter of thanks from the charity after completing a sponsored walk.
Deb's Blackburne, who usually volunteers in the RNLI Rhyl Lifeboat Shop decided to walk to work at Glan Clwyd Hospital, rather than take public transport during the pandemic.
Whilst walking to work one day Deb's decided to give herself a challenge, to walk the equivalent length of Great Britain from John O' Groats to Lands End, a distance of 1086 miles all in aid of the RNLI.
Deb’s began her fundraising effort on the 1st June 2020, and over the next few months walked the full distance finishing on 9th November, raising a total of £1005 for the RNLI.
This month Deb’s received a letter of thanks from the RNLI’s Chief Executive Mark Dowie, for her fundraising work during the pandemic.
Peter Dean, Rhyl RNLI Fundraisers Chairman said ‘This is a fine example of comradeship. Deb’s is a valued member of our shop team, but when the pandemic brought non essential retail to a standstill, she saw an opportunity to carry on fundraising for the RNLI through her daily exercise routine’.
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.