RNLI 200 visit by the 2024 RNLI-911 Challenge Porsche to Lytham St Annes
Fundraising couple near the end of their mammoth road trip around the British Isles.
Belinda and James Richardson were nearing completion of their final driving challenge in their Porsche 911 when they visited the Lytham St Annes All-weather Lifeboat House on the 28 September 2024.
This trip, called 'The Last Blast', will be the final one they do after visiting various sections of the coastline over the years in their Porsche 911 to help raise funds for the RNLI. This 2024 road trip to celebrate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, combined their previous coastal sections into one tour around the entire British Isles to visit all the lifeboat stations in just 911 hours.
Setting off from Morecambe Lifeboat Station on the 23 August, the couple travelled clockwise around the coast, taking ferries when needed to reach Ireland, the Channel Isles, Scilly and finally the Isle of Man.
Belinda and James arrived at the Lytham St Annes All-weather Lifeboat House shortly after 9am on Saturday 28 September to meet members of the station’s one crew. They were welcomed by Lifeboat Operations Manager, Paul Little and Staff Coxswain/Mechanic Martin Jaggs MBE.
Despite their tight schedule, the couple had a good chat with the station personnel, before leaving for Blackpool, then onto Fleetwood Lifeboat Stations. They were escorted by a convoy of Porsches brought down by their proud owners to help celebrate the RNLI 200 and the 911 Challenge. In the afternoon the Richardsons were due to take the ferry to the Isle of Man from Heysham with the 238th and final station to be reached at Peel on the 30 September. Then home for a well earned rest.
Belinda and James’ goal is to fund the new D class inshore lifeboat D-911 at present being built by the RNLI at Cowes. Congratulations to them on their epic journey to help save lives at sea.
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.