RNLI-911 Fundraising couple visit Mudeford Lifeboat Station

This visit took place on the third day of their RNLI-911 Challenge 2023 road trip. To raise funds for a lifeboat for the RNLI, the London-based couple plan to visit all 116 RNLI stations in England in just 23 days.

Belinda Richardson explained, ‘We started these RNLI fundraising tours back in 2018 when we visited all 238 RNLI stations in the UK and Ireland, in successive years we have toured RNLI stations around Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. In 2023 it is England and the Isles that we are focusing on.’

The intrepid couple share the driving duties and by the time they complete their tour they will have covered over 3000 miles including visits to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, the Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man. Their visit to Mudeford is the first destination on the mainland and was sponsored by Porsche Bournemouth.

Belinda and James have been big fans of the RNLI since owning a boat on the Thames over 20 years ago. Belinda continued, ‘We had originally planned to go touring on the continent in our retirement but after watching the ‘Saving Lives at Sea’ programme, we could see a way to tour and at the same time raise money for a charity we both love. We have raised over £70,000 so far and our mission is to raise enough to buy a brand new D Class lifeboat by 2024.’

After presenting a plaque to Mudeford Lifeboat Operations Manager, Richard Stride, the couple spent time talking and taking pictures with the volunteer RNLI crew. Belinda concluded, ‘James and I, as members of the public, are in awe of what the RNLI does. Without you, people would not be as safe on the water. You do an amazing job. Thank you. ‘

Jonathan Sullivan, Centre Principal at Porsche Bournemouth said, ‘We have huge respect and admiration for James and Belinda’s RNLI-911 Challenge raising funds for the RNLI. With our centre located so close to RNLI headquarters and the Mudeford Lifeboat Station we really wanted to get involved and support this amazing charity.’

RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Richard Stride, commented, ‘We really appreciate Belinda and James coming to visit us here at the Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat station. The fantastic work they are doing raising money for the RNLI allows our charity to continue fulfilling its vital mission, saving lives at sea. We would also like to give our sincere thanks and appreciation to Porsche Bournemouth who sponsored the visit.’

If you wish to find out more about the RNLI- 911 CHALLENGE 2023 or become a sponsor please visit

https://rnli-911challenge.co.uk/

You can follow James and Belinda’s progress on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/rnli_911_challenge/

The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has launched 64 times so far this year.

Photo:

James and Belinda Richardson – in the orange caps - and their Porsche 911 ‘Splash’, with crewmembers from Mudeford RNLI.

RNLI Media contacts

· Robert King, Mudeford volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810 637471

· Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit http://www.rnli.org/. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI News Centre.

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.