Porsche 911 challenge pays final flying visit to Staithes and Runswick RNLI
Belinda and James Richardson visited Staithes on 11 September 2024 as part of their final challenge of visiting all 238 lifeboat stations of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 911 hours to raise money for the charity that saves lives at sea.
Arriving at the 109th station of their challenge, Belinda and James were greeted by volunteers from the station and one of the sponsors for this leg of their fundraising journey. The couple were presented with a gift of a station mug. The exchange of gifts didn't stop there as the stations volunteers were presented with two jigsaws (one from each station sponsor) and 238 Top Trump style cards with facts from all of the RNLI's stations. The jigsaws will be completed then displayed at the station.
The couple are taking on this challenge for a second time in recognition of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year. They have raised £83,000 for the lifesaving charity to date and are hoping to raise enough money to fund a D class inshore lifeboat – the workhorse of the RNLI.
Belinda and James were inspired to take on the challenge by the similarities between the Porsche 911 and the D class; both vehicles were introduced in 1963, measure five meters in length, and feature rear-mounted engines.
The D class inshore lifeboat they are funding will be called RNLI 911 Challenge and has been reserved to carry the operational number D-911, it will become part of the relief fleet, meaning it could be used to save lives at sea anywhere around the coast of the UK and Ireland.
Belinda Richardson said of her and husband James' visits to Staithes: 'whilst the drive down the narrow lane to Staithes and Runswick RNLI is a little bit of a challenge in itself, the setting, Staithes' cute lifeboat station and the warm welcome by the local volunteers more than makes up for it.'
To learn more about Belinda and James Richardson's fundraising visit https://rnli-911challenge.co.uk/
Notes to Editor
Staithes and Runswick RNLI lifeboat has been in operation since 1978 with Atlantic B-Class inshore lifeboats (ILB’s). The present ILB at the station B-897 Sheila and Dennis Tongue III has been on station since 2016.
In 2024, the RNLI is celebrating 200 years - and counting, commemorating this remarkable past, celebrating our lifesaving achievements today, and inspiring a future where we can save every one. More information on RNLI 200 can be found at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024
RNLI media contacts
For further information, please contact James Stoker, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer at: [email protected] or Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (North and East) on 07824 518641 or, [email protected] or contact the 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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