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Lifelong supporter brings birthday gift to Hunstanton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

When James Kudlinski celebrated his 70th birthday, he told his family and friends not to buy him presents.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

James and Alison Kudlinski, along with puppy Mabel present a cheque for £206.10 to crew members at Hunstanton RNLI
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He asked them instead for donations to the charity that saves lives at sea.

And on Sunday, 15 March, he brought the proceeds to the crew at Hunstanton lifeboat station.

Retired housing officer James from Stamford, Lincs, enjoyed a birthday meal where people gave to the RNLI.

'It was just family and friends, we went to a restaurant,' he said. 'I said I don't need anything at my age, so giving money to the lifeboats instead would be a good thing to do.'

The evening raised a total of £206.10 towards the charity's lifesaving work.

'I've supported it since I was a small child,' James added. 'Whenever we went to the seaside, my parents would take me to a lifeboat station.

'It's a fantastic thing they do, people are putting their own lives on the line to save others and they're all volunteers.'

Hunstanton RNLI treasurer Jackie Merralls showed James, his wife Alison and Shihpoo puppy Mabel around the station.

She said the work of its crew would not be possible without the kindness of those who support the RNLI.

James has previously raised £500 with a sponsored walk for the charity and has also taken part in street collections.

Notes to editors

Volunteers at Hunstanton RNLI operate both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer from their base on Sea Lane.

They cover The Wash, a coastal estuary of more than 200 square miles fed by four main rivers along with parts of the North Norfolk coast.

Crew members at the busy station are on call 24/7, 365 days a year; while their work is supported by its visits, shop and outreach teams, along with the Hunstanton and West Norfolk RNLI Lifeboat Guild which raises funds for the charity that saves lives at sea.

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.






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.

About the author

Chris Bishop
Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Hunstanton

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