Lewis’s walk supports coastal rescue services (RNLI and BARB) fund raising
In the morning, 9th October, several Burnham-on-Sea lifeboat volunteers visited BARB search and rescue, along with their D Class lifeboat ‘Burnham Reach’, where young Lewis Thompson and his family were presenting cheques from his recent fund-raising initiative.
Lewis is 10 years old and has always had a keen interest in all that BARB Search and Rescue and the RNLI do. He enjoys learning about their volunteer service and also watching them on training days as well as when on call outs. He had decided to raise money for these two charities by completing an 8 mile walk from Brean Down to Weston-super-mare Pier. He also demonstrates a belief that these charities do great and important work for the community and wants to support them.
Lewis aspires to, one day, becoming a volunteer, to continue supporting them in keeping people safe. He was accompanied on the walk by his grandfather, Jeff Thomas, which took place on Saturday 21st August, and he was hoping to raise a large sum to be split between the charities equally.
Well, his walk was a great success, and his ‘go fund me’ page raised massive £1,000, which was split equally between BARB Search and Rescue and the RNLI. The RNLI money is split between Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-mare RNLI Lifeboat stations, so each station receives £250 each.
For his efforts, Lewis was presented with BARB (BARB operate two hovercraft) and RNLI items, plus a certificate of thanks from Burnham-on-Sea RNLI lifeboat station.
Burnham RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Matt Davies said of Lewis; ‘Lewis has raised a fantastic amount of money for the RNLI. He is a credit to his family, and the local community!’
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Images with this release:
File name: Burnham_RNLI_and_BARB (RNLI/Mike Lang) Burnham-on-Sea RNLI and BARB volunteers/supporters with the specific Burnham-on-Sea cheques
File name: Burnham_RNLI_and_Lewis (RNLI/Mike Lang)
Burnham-on-Sea RNLI with Lewis, showing off the Burnham RNLI Cheque
File name: Lewis_and_Alan (RNLI/Mike Lang)
Lewis receives a certificate of thanks from Shore crew volunteer/trainer Alan Higgs
File name: RNLI_and_BARB (RNLI/Mike Lang)
Burnham-on-Sea RNLI and BARB volunteers/supporters with all three cheques.
RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.
RNLI media contacts
For more information about this release please telephone Mike Lang, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07889 815860 or email [email protected],
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Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) Tel: 07920 818 807, [email protected].
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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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