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Small change is a big boost for Lyme Regis RNLI in 200th year

Lifeboats News Release

A couple who are visiting all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations with little jars full of 5p coins called in at Lyme Regis on the 13th leg of their marathon.

RNLI/Lyme Regis

Pots of cash, Debbie Claridge (left), Julian Coles and Lyme Regis RNLI shop volunteer Lorraine Vandersyde.

Julian Coles and his partner Debbie Claridge, from Didcot, Oxfordshire, plan to end their marathon in December having visited the lifeboat stations and donating three jars of the coins at each one. Their project is in memory of a close friend and Julian’s father, both of whom were supporters of the RNLI.

By the end of their travels Julian and Debbie estimate they will have driven 35,000 miles, used 33 ferries, ten flights and handed over 720 Betty’s pots, the name of the little jars recognising the supporter who started the fundraising scheme.

Julian said: 'We are using weekends and holidays to travel . We thought it important to remember my friend and my father, and as keen supporters of the RNLI we wanted to help raise funds in the charity’s 200th year.'

Julian and Debbie are members of the Marlborough Social Club in Didcot whose members raised the funds to buy a D class lifeboat in 1988.

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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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.