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Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers benefit from long-distance motor cycle ride

Lifeboats News Release

Local motorcycle enthusiast Ben Preston is a member of IBA UK, which is the UK arm of the Iron Butt Association, dedicated to safe, long-distance motorcycle riding.

Journey start at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station

RNLI/Ben Preston

Journey start at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station

Ben’s personal challenge was to raise RNLI funds, by riding over 1,000 miles in July, from Burnham-on-Sea to Loch Ness lifeboat stations' and back, in under 24 hours.

The ride raised sponsorship £446.22, with total mileage of 1143 miles in 23 hours and 8 minutes. The Somerset Marine lodge added a cheque for £2000

Ben said; ‘Following my undertaking of 1000 miles in 24 hours in July, to raise funds for Burnham-on-Sea RNLI. Members of Lodge Marine proposed and agreed to donate the sum of £2000 to Burnham-on-Sea RNLI.

Lodge Marine, is a masonic lodge with a long history and was originally founded in Calcutta, India as far back as 1776 as an overseas lodge for mariners. The lodge has been in Somerset since 2001. Brethren of the Lodge recognised the important role the RNLI plays within our communities, on call at a moment’s notice, when we need help. So it was our greatest pleasure to have a contingent of Lodge Marine to present a cheque for £2000.’

Duty Launch Authority Phil Counsell replies; This is a wonderful donation, so many thanks for the support, and congratulations to Ben for completing his personal challenge.'

RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea

A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian plus a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Mike Lang, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Burnham-on-Sea Lifeboat Station on 07889 815860 or Emma Haines, Regional Communications Manager, on 07786 668847 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789



'Three Sisters in Glen Coe at a brief journey pause

RNLI/Ben Preston

'Three Sisters in Glen Coe at a brief journey pause
Ben at Loch Ness Lifeboat station

RNLI/Ben Preston

Ben at Loch Ness Lifeboat station
Ben Preston, with Burnham RNLI volunteers and members of Lodge Marine

RNLI/Ade Povey

Ben Preston, with Burnham RNLI volunteers and members of Lodge Marine
Member of Somerset lodge Marine Steve Harris, Ben Preston and daughter

RNLI/Ade Povey

Member of Somerset lodge Marine Steve Harris, Ben Preston and daughter

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

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.