Newquay RNLI welcomes fundraiser on 5,000 mile trek
Newquay RNLI welcomes fundraiser on 5,000 mile trek
Lifeboats News Release
After a shout for the RNLI crew on the charity's D class inshore lifeboat at 8.45am, volunteers from Newquay lifeboat station met supporter Derek Adams on Sunday afternoon (24 September) as he continues his 5,000 mile trek around the British coastline in aid of three charities, including the RNLI.
Derek, 80, from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire began his 5,000 mile trek in aid of the RNLI, British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research last year and aims to finish the challenge, which he is undertaking in sections one-month at a time, within five years before he reaches his 85th birthday!
Having already completed the whole of the east & south coasts from Shetland to south Devon, the current leg of Derek's trek covers from Torquay to Cardiff and he arrived unscheduled at the lifeboat station around midday to be welcomed by two of Newquay's RNLI shop volunteers, one of the station's trainee launch authorities and the volunteer deputy lifeboat press officer.
During his three-hour rest with Newquay RNLI, Derek said: 'I was motivated to support the RNLI after witnessing emergency services dealing with the aftermath of a river tragedy as a child, an experience which has always stayed with me, and meeting the dedicated volunteers at lifeboat stations around the country has been one of the highlights of the walk'.
Newquay RNLI's volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Andy Hobkinson said: 'It was a real pleasure to meet Derek. He demonstrates an impressive commitment to supporting our RNLI volunteers, so we're pleased that he was able to meet a few of the team and 'recharge his batteries', before continuing on his epic trek. Our RNLI volunteers rely on the support of people like Derek to answer calls for help and save lives at sea'.
RNLI notes to editors
You can follow Derek's trek on Facebook, search 'Derek Treks Britain' and supporters can donate to his fundraising via: Adams Is Off Again fundraising on JustGiving
Newquay lifeboat station first opened in 1860 and today's RNLI volunteers operate two inshore lifeboats from the harbour and are on call 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-of-the-year, to save lives at sea.
RNLI contacts
For more information please contact Andy Hobkinson, Newquay RNLI volunteer
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer at [email protected] or 07880 507464. Or Emma Haines,
RNLI Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or the
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].
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.