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Porsche 911 challenge stops by Southend RNLI as couple visits all 238 stations

Lifeboats News Release

A married couple in a Porsche 911 attempting to visit all Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK & Ireland met volunteers from Southend-on-Sea Lifeboat Station as they continue their journey.

Belinda and James with Southend RNLI volunteers standing next to the Porsche 911 in front of the lifeboat station

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

Belinda and James with Southend RNLI volunteers

Belinda and James Richardson, from London, are travelling 8,500 miles in their Porsche 911, hoping to visit all 238 lifeboat stations in 911 hours. After starting in Morecambe on Friday 23 August, the pair yesterday (Saturday 14 September) visited Southend Lifeboat Station.

The sun was shining at Southend for Belinda and James making their ‘Last Blast’ around all 238 RNLI stations raising valuable funds for the RNLI. Greeted by Southend lifeboat volunteers, the couple presented the crew with a 200-year birthday jigsaw puzzle from Design 911 and special pack of cards unique to the 911 challenge. The pack of cards contains 238 cards, each card with information from one of RNLI lifeboat stations. People born in the 60s and 70s will probably remember ‘Top Trump’ cards. Belinda also revealed a couple of interesting facts about the Porsche 911 and D class lifeboat. Both were launched in 1963 and both cost about the same amount of money, making it the perfect car for the challenge to fund a new D class inshore lifeboat.

The couple's challenge continues to the London stations and through Kent this weekend. Southend volunteers wished Belinda and James safe travels and good luck on their fantastic journey.

Jayne George, RNLI Director of Fundraising, said: ‘We are so grateful to Belinda and James for taking on this huge challenge and look forward to welcoming them at all of our lifeboat stations around the coast.

‘We are only able to save lives at sea thanks to the generous support of people taking on challenges like this, and we’re honoured Belinda and James have decided to raise even more money to fund a new D class inshore lifeboat.

‘In 2023 alone, D class lifeboats saved 96 lives and helped 2,028 people in difficulty. Belinda and James’ 911 challenge will help continue that lifesaving legacy.’

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

Notes to editors

· For more information on Belinda and James’ challenge, visit here.

· Photos of the couple and the Porsche can be downloaded here.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Ben Williets, RNLI Press Officer on 01202 641450 or [email protected]. Alternatively, contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or [email protected].

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 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.

Belinda talking to Southend volunteers in front of Porsche 911

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

Belinda and RNLI volunteers
Photo of the Richardson's and volunteers at Southend RNLI lifeboat station from above

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

The Richardson's at Southend RNLI lifeboat station
Belinda Richardson presenting volunteer Nick Elmore with a unique gift pack of cards

RNLI/Nigel Gilchrist

Belinda Richardson presenting Southend RNLI volunteer Nick Elmore with a unique gift

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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