July 2026 - focus on our amazing volunteers

Each of our volunteers has their own story of how they came to support the RNLI, and we’ve recently featured those with long-standing family connections, and people whose own rescue led to them becoming involved with our charity.  For Allan Thornhill it was seeing the work of the RNLI featured on the BBC’s Saving Lives At Sea that inspired him to take up an incredible challenge – visiting all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland.

Allan and his wife Helen began their challenge during the RNLI's 200th anniversary celebrations in 2024 after being inspired by Saving Lives at Sea – which marks its own tenth anniversary this year. Their initial aim was to experience more of the UK and Irish coastline while raising vital funds to support our lifesaving work.

Allan said: 'For the past two years Helen and I have visited some of the most remote and picturesque locations in the UK and Ireland as well as city centre lifeboat stations.

'We have been overwhelmed by the welcome we have received and the support we have received along the way. It truly has been an incredible experience and we are delighted to have raised vital funds for our lifesaving heroes.'

The challenge saw the couple drive more than 16,600 miles, take 11 flights, 26 ferry crossings and two train journeys, while staying in 51 hotels and B&Bs.

Looking back on the journey, Allan said some of his favourite memories included the warm welcome they received at Hunstanton Lifeboat Station, the spectacular scenery of western Scotland and the hospitality shown by RNLI volunteers across Ireland.

He added: 'We have a huge sense of achievement and pride. We have been overwhelmed with the support we have had both at stations and on social media. We have experienced every emotion imaginable and have been humbled by the bravery of the crews hearing their inspiring stories.'

Brighton Lifeboat Station was just the second stop on their journey but has since become a central part of the couples’ life. Inspired by the crews they met and the work of RNLI volunteers around the coast, Allan decided to become a volunteer himself, first applying to become Brighton RNLI's Administration Officer and later also taking on the role of Treasurer.

Together, Allan and Helen have raised more than £5,200 through their JustGiving page, with all donations going directly to the RNLI.

Charlie Dannreuther, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Brighton RNLI, said: 'We're incredibly proud to have Allan as part of our volunteer team. His commitment to visiting every RNLI lifeboat station while raising such a fantastic amount for the charity is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates the passion and dedication so many of our volunteers and supporters have for the RNLI.’

You can find out more about Allan and Helen's journey on the website they created to document their challenge. And if you’ve been inspired to begin your own volunteering journey, there is a wealth of information available about the volunteer roles offered by the RNLI on our volunteering pages.