4-year-old completes RNLI challenge raising £1k for the lifesaving charity
A four-year-old from Warrington walked a mile a day in May to fundraise for the RNLI. Last week, RNLI lifeguards visited his school to thank him and to give lifesaving safety advice to the children ahead of the summer holidays.
Avery Bristol from Woolston, walked a total of 31 miles in May to raise money for the RNLI. Avery’s original target was to raise £125; he smashed this with a final total of £1,039.
Avery has had a keen interest in the RNLI since he was three years old after reading about the RNLI in a library. Saving Lives at Sea, the BBC television programme showcasing the RNLI’s volunteers and lifeguards in action is now one of Avery’s favourites.
Catherine Bristol Avery’s Mum said:
‘We’re very proud of Avery and his drive and passion to fundraise for the RNLI. He keeps asking how many years it is before he’s old enough to join the crew!
‘Due to his love of the RNLI, he shares information about the RNLI with anyone that will listen! He’s just said, “I’m going to raise money every time I’m older before my birthday!”
'He is so pleased with his Mayday Mile medal, it means the world to him!'
Whenever the Bristol family visit the coast, Avery insists on visiting RNLI lifeboat stations wherever possible. Avery loves to dress up in his ‘RNLI crew uniform’ so was overjoyed when the RNLI lifeguards visited his school last week.
The RNLI lifeguards visited St Peter’s Catholic school last week to thank Avery for his efforts and to provide safety advice ahead of the summer holidays. The Meet the Lifeguard sessions teach children four key safety messages to keep themselves and others safe at the coast.
- Stop and think
- Stay together
- Float to Live
- Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard
Hannah Presgrave RNLI Community Manager said:
‘We’re so grateful to Avery for his fundraising efforts. For someone so young to be so passionate about our lifesaving mission means a great deal to us.
‘I know Avery was chuffed to meet the lifeguards who visited his school. We hope his passion for the RNLI continues into his adolescence and he does one day join our crew.
‘We hope Avery’s Mayday Medal helps him to understand how important his fundraising efforts are to our charity. Avery’s contribution will help our crews to continue saving lives at sea.’
Media Contacts
For more information, please contact Anya Walton Communications Placement at [email protected] or call 07977468268. Alternatively contact the RNLI Press Office at [email protected].
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok 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.