Hunstanton RNLI welcomes charity cyclist aiming to visit every lifeboat station

Retired teacher Ian Malcolm from Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, began his epic ride two years ago and reckons to have ticked off 70 stations so far, including outposts up and down the south western and eastern coasts of Scotland, along with Eastern England.

The 72-year-old, who is camping out each night along the way and carrying all of his equipment and supplies on his bike, said: 'I'm setting no particular time scale.

'It's taking me to a lot of bits of the country I'd never otherwise get to visit.'

He added as a sailor, he was aware that many people find themselves in difficulty on the water.

'More than ever we need the RNLI’s help,' he said. 'As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.'

Ian met senior helm Dave Cleland and listened into a crew briefing before lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk was launched for one of her regular Sunday exercises,

'I've set up a JustGiving page - Ian's fundraiser for RNLI - where people can donate,' he said, before he pedalled off on the next stage of his journey.

'I set myself a target of £500 but it's already well-exceeded that.'

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton is one of the busiest lifeboat stations in Norfolk, whose volunteers operate the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

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

Like more than 200 lifeboat stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate, raise funds or remember the RNLI in their wills.

RNLI Media Contacts

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