Young Henry’s fundraising adventures for RNLI
When six year old Henry James was chatting to a neighbour, Tracey Hope, who is a trainee crew member with Lytham RNLI and discovered more about the work of the volunteers from the RNLI, he decided he wanted to help raise funds for them. But he had no idea of the best way to do it.
He asked his mum, Victoria, on how they could fundraise for the saving lives at sea charity. Victoria knew Henry loved cycling and thought a ride from their local RNLI station in Lytham, to the lifeboat station in St Anne’s station, would be a perfect adventure for Henry. Victoria, a keen runner, was happy to accompany him on his action packed day. However, on reaching the St Anne’s lifeboat station, Henry surprised his mum, by insisting on continuing their journey to Blackpool RNLI !
Henry’s cycle ride to Blackpool RNLI was a success and contributed to Lytham RNLI’s ‘Leg it for Lytham’ fundraising campaign. Then mum and son thought they could raise even more, by continuing Henry’s cycling from Blackpool RNLI to Fleetwood lifeboat station !
On Saturday (22 May), the duo set off from in front of Blackpool’s famous tower, after a brief visit to the lifeboat station and reached Fleetwood a mere two hours later !
They were greeted on their arrival by volunteers from Fleetwood RNLI. He was presented with a medal by crew volunteer ‘Skip’ Frith to acknowledge his amazing achievements, as well as various RNLI ‘goodies’ as a thank you for his fundraising efforts.
Henry’s only concern on arriving at the lifeboat station was he’d been promised fish and chips and The Ferry Café, next to the lifeboat station, duly obliged and happily donated Henry’s favourite lunch.
But this doesn’t look to be the end of Henry’s fundraising efforts. They now have their sights on a cycle ride based around the Morecambe RNLI stations and area.
Joe Bottomley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fleetwood RNLI said ‘Henry’s determination and enthusiasm are incredible. His fundraising will help our organisation to continue to save lives at sea and without the support of young people like Henry and his mum, Victoria, we would not be able to continue our life-saving work. We can’t thank young Henry enough.’
Henry has raised £250 so far on this leg of the journey.
To donate to the RNLI and continue to contribute to Henry’s incredible fundraising achievements, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/henry-james2014
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.