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Golfers faced the storm for Hunstanton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Golfers braved gale-force winds to tee-off for the charity that saves lives at sea. More than 20 teams of two took to the greens at Heacham Manor on the windswept Norfolk coast on Friday 27 September.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Fore... Launch authority Jeff Lenton launches one down the fairway at the RNLI golf day at Heacham Manor
But despite dark skies and winds gusting to 50mph, they clubbed together to raise £2,000 for Hunstanton RNLI.

The day was a joint celebration of the 70th anniversary of Searles Leisure Resort at Hunstanton and the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.

As players sat down for a presentation lunch Paul Searle, managing director of Searles, said: 'Thank you for turning up today, you need a round of applause for taking part.

'Your certificates will be in the post to say I survived the RNLI golf day at Heacham Manor.'

The nearby lifeboat station fielded two teams, one of which - treasurer Bob McDonald and supporter Steve Webber - finished third after scoring of 35 on what was a testing day on the 15-hole links by anyone's standards.

They were narrowly beaten by Ollie Searle and Paul Molton, who came home first with a score of 39, followed by Phil Hairsign and Paul Stuart on 36.

After the presentations, Paul presented Bob with a cheque from the proceeds of the event.

'Thank you for coming along to support this fantastic event.' Bob told competitors.

'What you have done today will help us to save lives at sea.'

Notes to editors

Hunstanton is one of Norfolk's busiest lifeboat stations, operating both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

It covers The Wash, a tidal estuary fed by five main rivers of more than 100 square miles, along with parts of the north Norfolk coastline.

Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, its lifesaving work could not be possible without the kindness of those who give donations or leave legacies to the charity that saves lives at sea.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of both the RNLI and the founding of a lifeboat service at Hunstanton.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219, Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641, or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.








RNLI/Chris Bishop

Paul Searle (right) presents a cheque to Bob McDonald

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Get in there... Steve Webber holes a putt that helped the RNLI to third place

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Winners Ollie Searle and Tom Molton with Paul Searle

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Second-placed Paul Hairsign and Paul Stuart with Paul Searle

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Third-placed Steve Webber and Bob McDonald with Paul Searle

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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