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Dunbar RNLI welcomes Porsche 911 challenge

Lifeboats News Release

An intrepid couple who plan to visit all UK and Ireland RNLI stations in their Porsche 911 to fund a new lifeboat called at Dunbar today (Tuesday).

Two people with car.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

1. Belinda and James Richardson with their Porsche 911 car.

Retired Londoners Belinda and James Richardson are aiming to complete their challenge of visiting all 238 stations in just 911 hours.

Their goal is to raise enough funds to buy a new D class lifeboat for the RNLI relief’s fleet. So far they have raised £83,000 of their target of around £100,000.

Belinda and James, whose appreciation for the RNLI came after owning a boat on the River Thames 20 years ago, began their epic 8,500-mile journey in Morecambe at 9.11am on 23 August and plan to complete their challenge at the same time at Peel, Isle of Man, on 30 September.

Calling at Dunbar Station, which operates a D class as well as an all-weather Trent class, Belinda said there were many similarities between the inshore lifeboat and their eye-catchingly branded Porsche 911 car – nicknamed Splash – which bears the names of RNLI stations and sponsors.

She said: ‘They are the same width and length, both have engines at the back and the first 911 was launched in 1963, the same year as the first D class. A new Porsche Carrera today costs about the same as a new D class, so there is lovely symmetry between the two. The reason we have chosen a D class is that it is the workhorse of the RNLI fleet, responsible for 60 per cent of shouts, and a relief boat could benefit the whole network.’

Volunteers from Dunbar’s lifeboat crew and shop were there to greet the couple, along with staff from Paris Steele legal firm who sponsored the visit to the town.

James said: ‘We are so grateful to Paris Steele who sponsored Dunbar Station. The challenge wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors.’

After presenting the station with a specially designed jigsaw and Top Trumps-style cards which feature call out statistics for all stations, the couple bade farewell for the next leg of their journey.

Dunbar RNLI coxswain Gary Fairbairn said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Belinda and James to the station and we wish them all the best for the rest of their challenge.’

To donate to their challenge, visit https://rnli-911challenge.co.uk/

Notes to Editors

Established in 1808, 16 years before the formation of the RNLI, Dunbar Lifeboat Station is one of the oldest in Scotland and is located on the south side of the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Since its formation, its volunteer crews have been honoured with 12 awards for gallantry.

It operates two lifeboats – the Trent class all-weather lifeboat (ALB) John Neville Taylor, moored at Torness Power Station, and the D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) David Lauder, which launches from Dunbar Harbour.

RNLI media contacts

Douglas Wight, Dunbar RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office (available 24 hours) 01202 336789 [email protected]

Several people and car.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

Dunbar volunteer crew members with Belinda and James.
Lots of people standing by car.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

2. Members of the volunteer crew and staff from Paris Steele with Belinda and James.
Two people standing by car.

RNLI/Douglas Wight

3. Dunbar RNLI shop managers Ken and Marie Headley with the special 911 car.

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.

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