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Margate RNLI lifeboat volunteers cycle 200 miles to mark 200 years

Lifeboats News Release

Two RNLI Margate lifeboat volunteer crew members, along with others including teams from other lifeboat stations have completed a 200 mile cycle ride to raise funds and commemorate the charity’s 200th anniversary

Many events have been arranged nationally marking the RNLI's 200th anniversary but for Keith Patrick and David Pike, helm and crew member respectively on Margate’s B class lifeboat their initial idea suggested it may be a ‘ride too far’.

Both are keen road cyclist and have taken part in events raising funds for the RNLI previously including the Kent leg of the annual 'Reindeer Run’. Keith and David, for whom cycling 200 miles is challenging but achievable considered the idea of attracting 200 similar cycling enthusiasts to complete parts of, or the whole 200 miles from the RNLI’s head office at Poole in Dorset to Margate.

There were logistical challenges with this so undeterred, and along with the RNLI’s fundraising team from Poole they arranged a 200 mile cycle challenge around Betteshanger Park in Kent. The challenge was open to anyone who could sign up for as little as a ten miles saunter to the whole gruelling 200 mile challenge.

Other local RNLI lifeboat crews joined in with representatives from Chiswick, Whitstable and Walmer lifeboat stations sending teams. So at 4.30am on a recent windy, rain-soaked Saturday morning they were waved off by Margate’s Lifeboat Operations Manager Derek Amas. The fun continued throughout the day, the team from Margate completing their 200 miles in just over 14 hours including breaks.

There is a fund-raising page where people can donate to the charity, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rnli-cycle-to-save-lives and give as little or as much as you can, the end results mean a lot to those who have contributed their time and effort to such a challenge. So far the amount raised stands at just short of £5,000.

Derek Amas said: “I am truly amazed and humbled by peoples sheer determination to get the job done in appalling and unseasonal weather conditions. In total we had 16 riders of all ages completing distances of 10, 25, 50, 100 and the ultimate 200 miles and we hope to make this an annual event. Thank you to all involved, and also to those who have donated and given encouragement to the participants by donating.

Photo: David Pike and Keith Patrick (far left) along with other cycling enthusiast participants in the 200 mile cycle challenge. (RNLI Margate)

Notes to editors

· Margate lifeboat station has been operating since 1860. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/margate-lifeboat-station

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For more information please contact:

· Peter Barker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07974 064304 or [email protected]

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· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

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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