New Cornish cycling event to raise funds for RNLI

There will also be a shorter, family friendly route of 10 miles from the lifeboat station to Marazion and back which will use the new off-road cycle path from Penzance.

The event’s entry fee will raise money for Cornwall’s RNLI lifeboats and all participants are encouraged to find sponsors for their ride.

Patch Harvey, Coxswain of Penlee RNLI lifeboat said;

‘Many of our volunteer lifeboat crew are enthusiastic cyclists so as a station, we’re really excited about being able to put this event on. I will be taking part myself, along with Pete Hicks, Coxswain of St Mary’s RNLI lifeboat and we’re delighted to be able to invite RNLI supporters to take part.

The route has plenty of hills, so there’ll be a BBQ at the lifeboat station to feed all the finishers who work up an appetite.’

RNLI volunteers will help marshal the route which runs through the fishing village of Porthleven.

Andy Bramwell, RNLI Community Manager said;

‘The longer route runs through Marazion and Porthleven, both of which had lifeboats in the past, before climbing up to The Lizard, which has a lifeboat today. It’s a bit of a Cornish lifeboat history tour.’

Rider safety is paramount he explained, but Mounts Bay is a great location for cycling;

‘We want as many people as possible to ride out in support of the RNLI so I'm pleased we can use the new off-road path between Penzance and Marazion for our family route.

We're also very grateful to St Aubyn Estates who are supporting the event by providing some room in their car park for the rest stop in Marazion.'

Entry to the Sportive is at https://rnlipenleemaydaysportive.eventbrite.co.uk and closes on April 25 2022. More information and a link to the entry can be found on the Penlee RNLI Facebook page.

Notes to editors

· Image of Patch Harvey, Penlee RNLI Coxswain and Tony Rendle, Penlee Mechanic preparing for the Sportive, credit Phil Monckton

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For more information please telephone Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager on 07920818807 or [email protected] or RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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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