Friends walk the Liberty Trail in aid of Lyme Regis RNLI

2023 is the fourth year in succession the friends, who call themselves ‘Boots to Boats’, have completed the hike, each time raising funds for the RNLI through sponsorship and donations. This year the ‘Boots to Boats’ team comprised: Mark Farrell (37) and son Lewis (16), Nick Perry (37), Jack Barrow (34), Ashley Clark (38) and Davey Thomas (26). The team was accompanied by their mascot, puppy ‘Ace’.

The team set off from Ham Hill, near Yeovil at 8:30am on Friday morning and arrived at Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station at 2:30pm on Sunday following the Liberty Trail, a route reputedly followed by villagers making their way to Lyme Regis to join the ill-fated Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. The team’s journey included overnight camping stops at Misterton and Lamberts Castle. On arrival at Lyme Regis the walkers were met by family and friends as well as the volunteer crew of Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat.

Summing up their experience walker Mark Farrell said, ‘This is the fourth time we have completed this walk in aid of the RNLI, a charity which we truly believe in. Every year our team gets bigger, as does the amount of money we raise. We plan to do it again next year, the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the RNLI'.

Lifeboat trainee helm Mark Ellis welcomed the team to the lifeboat station. He said, ‘The Boots to Boats walkers have done an amazing job raising nearly £1800 for their weekend hike. Our charity relies on donations such as this to fund the lifesaving service we deliver. We look forward to meeting the team again next year on our 200th anniversary.’

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Notes to editors

Phot 1. Liberty Trail hikers are met at Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station by volunteer crew, Credit - Nick Marks

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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 over 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 142,200 lives.