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Record-breaking triathlon raised £750 for Hunstanton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

More than 100 swam, cycled and ran around a Norfolk seaside town to help save lives at sea.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Chris Playford from the King's Lynn Triathlon Club (front, left) presents the cheque for £750 to Dave Cleland from the Hunstanton crew
On Sunday 26 October members of the King's Lynn Triathlon Club called in to present the proceeds at Hunstanton lifeboat station.

Chris Playford, the 70-strong club's race director said some 120 took part in the event on 11 May.

'It was the most we've ever had,' he said. 'It's a great location and we take pride in giving people a great experience.

'Our athletes go racing all over the country and go swimming in the sea so the RNLI is a really worthwhile cause for us, we never know when we might need them ourselves.'

After a 200m swim at the Oasis Leisure Centre, competitors took to their bikes for three demanding laps of the town, totalling some 18km.

Then they were on their toes for a 3.5k run along the seafront, before looping back along the cliff tops.

Hunstanton RNLI fielded four hopefuls for the event, including senior helm Dave Cleland, helm Jon Butler, Niamh Walter whose partner Ryan Darby is also a helm and Hunstanton RNLI chair Charles le Strange Meakin.

Jon who was encouraged home by his sons Rowan and Eden admitted flies and bugs proved a bit of a distraction.

Dave said: 'I thought my calves were going to explode after the cycling - I didn't think I was going to make it.'

Notes to Editors

Hunstanton lifeboat station operates a fast inshore lifeboat and a search and rescue hovercraft.

Its volunteer crew covers The Wash, a tidal estuary of some 200 square miles, along with parts of the north Norfolk coast.

The lifesaving work of the station and more than 200 like it would not be possible without those who raise funds or donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI Images

Pictures from the presentation and the event attached.

Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

A rider passes the Hunstanton town sign during the Sunny Hunny Triathlon in May

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton RNLI crew member Dave Cleland taking part in the event

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Hunstanton crew member Jon Butler runs along the seafront with sons Rowan (right) and Eden

RNLI/Chris Bishop

A rider powers their way along the seafront at Hunstanton

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The Hunstanton RNLI team (from left) Jon Butler, Dave Cleland, Niamh Walter and Charles le Strange Meakin

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.

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