Porsche 911 challenge stops at Lough Derg RNLI as couple visit 238 RNLI stations
Porsche 911 challenge stops at Lough Derg RNLI as couple visit 238 RNLI stations
Lifeboats News Release
Belinda and James Richardson, from London, are travelling 8,500 miles in their Porsche 911, to visit all 238 lifeboat stations in 911 hours. After starting in Morecambe on Friday 23 August, the couple visited Lough Derg RNLI 28 August. This event is to raise funds for a new relief D class lifeboat
At 7pm on Wednesday evening, 28 August, Belinda and James Richardson arrived at Lough Derg RNLI on their journey to visit all 238 lifeboat stations in 911 hours. A number of volunteers, Operational and Fundraising, were there to greet them and extend a warm welcome.
Also present were Vanessa and Michael Nagle, who sponsored the Porsche 911 visit to Lough Derg RNLI in memory of their late father, who spent many years cruising on the Shannon. Vanessa and Michael had driven from Swords in County Dublin, especially for the event. Michael presented the crew with a specially commissioned jigsaw to mark the bicententary of the RNLI.
Belinda gave an account of their journey thus far and their reasons for this important fundraiser for the charity. Having done research some years before on our station, Belinda presented the volunteers with a card game quiz on Lough Derg RNLI,
As Lough Derg was the final visit for the day, Christine O’Malley, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Lough Derg RNLI, arranged for refreshements to be served to our guests before they continued on their journeys.
Niamh McCutcheon, Chairperson of Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee, RNLI Council member, Ireland and an RNLI Vice-President said: ‘In this our 200th year it is wonderful to see the commitment of people like Belinda and James as they undertake their quest to visit all Lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland. They bring awareness of the charity whilst raising vital funds. This dedication supports the future of the RNLI and its lifesaving work’.
Jayne George, RNLI Director of Fundraising, said: ‘We are so grateful to Belinda and James for taking on this huge challenge and look forward to welcoming them at all of our lifeboat stations around the coast.
‘We are only able to save lives at sea thanks to the generous support of people taking on challenges like this, and we’re honoured Belinda and James have decided to raise even more money to fund a new D class inshore lifeboat.
‘In 2023 alone, D class lifeboats saved 96 lives and helped 2,028 people in difficulty. Belinda and James’ 911 challenge will help continue that lifesaving legacy.’
For more information, please contact Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or [email protected] or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email [email protected]
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit
RNLI.org/200.
RNLI/Eleanor Hooker
Porsche 911 challenge stops at Lough Derg RNLI James and Belinda Richardson having just arrived at Lough Derg RNLI
Lough Derg RNLI volunteers being presented with a gift from Michael and Vanessa Nagle, sponsors of this visit of Porsche 911 challenge, in honour of their father
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.
