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RNLI Torbay Extends Profound Gratitude to Kilimanjaro 2023 Gold Sponsors

Lifeboats News Release

Torbay RNLI crew expressed their appreciation to the Gold Sponsors of the ‘Kilimanjaro Challenge 2023’, on Sunday 1st October, in an event at Berry Head Hotel to mark the conclusion of an extraordinary fund-raising venture by the local Torbay lifeboat station.

Kilimanjaro 2023 Gold Sponsors at Berry Head Hotel, Brixham on 1st October 2023

RNLI/Niall Blatcher

Kilimanjaro 2023 Gold Sponsors at Berry Head Hotel, Brixham

Thirty-five Gold Sponsors each donated a minimum of £1,000, which was pivotal to making 'The Kilimanjaro Challenge 2023' an astounding success, in which initial targets were smashed to raise a total of £105,393 and set a new record by a local RNLI station fund-raising event. This total enables RNLI Torbay to fund and equip its own new D-Class In-shore Lifeboat, the timing of which will be confirmed.

Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region, who spoke at the event, commended the station's accomplishments across these six challenges as a source of inspiration and he emphasized the critical role an involved local community plays in maintaining the effectiveness of RNLI stations and ensuring their future success.

Ian ('Barney') Barnaby, the event’s leader, expressed his gratitude to the Gold Sponsors for their support and as a token of the crew’s appreciation, Gold Sponsors were presented with framed photographs commemorating the Challenges.

Whilst not all Gold Sponsors could make the event, those who attended included Torquay Rotary Club, Gold Star Leisure, Caterfoods, Swim 365, Orestone Wealth, The Guardhouse Café (Berry Head), Compass House, Brixham Rugby Club, Churston Golf Club, Brixham Fish Market, Brixham Trawler Agents, Nick Sharpe, Brixham College, Di Lunn, Ben Purser, Lynne Spillet and of course, the Berry Head Hotel itself.

A list of all Gold Sponsors and further details about all the challenges, can be found on our Just Giving page at https://justgiving.com/campaign/RNLITorbaykili23

Barney concluded the event by saying “We are profoundly grateful to all our Gold Sponsors as well as the wider community, for supporting 'The Kilimanjaro Challenge 2023' and making it such an immense success. We will take special pride in the new D-Class the funds raised will deliver, and upon which our crews depend as we take on future shouts in and around the Bay.”

About RNLI Torbay:

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Torbay is a vital part of the UK's lifesaving charity, funded entirely by public donations. Our dedicated volunteer crew members are committed to saving lives at sea in and around the Torbay area. We rely on the support of the community and generous sponsors to maintain our lifeboats, provide equipment, and ensure our crews are ready for any emergency at sea.

Note to editors:

For further information about this release or about RNLI Torbay, please contact Niall Blatcher, Lifeboat Press Officer, RNLI Torbay on 0773 4114 777

Attached are photos: (1) Climbers at the summit of Kilimanjaro, (2) Torbay RNLI crew, (3) Adrian Carey speaking at Berry Head event, (4) Gold Sponsor attendees.

Eight climbers from Torbay RNLI station at the summit of Kilimanjaro, February 2023

RNLI/Niall Blatcher

Torbay RNLI crew climbers at summit
Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region, speaking at 'Kilimanjaro 2023' Gold Sponsors event at Beryy Head Hotel on 1st October 2023

RNLI/Niall Blatcher

Adrian Carey, RNLI Head of Region, speaking at Gold Sponsors event
Torbay RNLI Crew

RNLI/Niall Blatcher

Torbay RNLI crew

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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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.