A married couple in a Porsche 911 travelling the coast of Ireland and the UK, attempting to visit all RNLI lifeboat stations met volunteers from Bangor Lifeboat Station as they continue their journey.Belinda and James Richardson, from London, are travelling 8,500 miles in their Porsche 911, hoping to visit all 238 lifeboat stations in 911 hours. After starting in Morecambe in England on Friday 23 August, the pair recently visited Bangor Lifeboat Station.They are raising funds for a relief D class inshore lifeboat.Captain Byron Griffiths, Bangor Lifeboat operations manager, said, “We were delighted to welcome Belinda and James to Bangor station this evening. I would like to personally thank the couple for their commitment to RNLI fundraising and also for raising awareness of the charity. We all wish them the very best for the remainder of their station visits and safe onward travel.”
Jayne George, RNLI director of fundraising, said: “We are so grateful to Belinda and James for taking on this huge challenge and look forward to welcoming them at all of our lifeboat stations around the coast.”
“We are only able to save lives at sea thanks to the generous support of people taking on challenges like this, and we’re honoured Belinda and James have decided to raise even more money to fund a new D class inshore lifeboat.”
“In 2023 alone, D class lifeboats saved 96 lives and helped 2,028 people in difficulty. Belinda and James’ 911 challenge will help continue that lifesaving legacy.”
To donate to their challenge, visit https://rnli-911challenge.co.uk/
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Tom Bell, Bangor Lifeboat Press Officer on 075 1532 7284 or email tombell@torgrange.co.uk or Nuala McAloon, RNLI Regional Communications Manager on 087 648 3547 or email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Niamh Stephenson, RNLI Regional Communications Lead on 087 1254 124 or Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Tom McGuire, Regional Communications Manager on 0874764436 or email Thomas_McGuire@rnli.org.uk
RNLI online
For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.
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 Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates 46 lifeboat stations in the Irish region. The RNLI is independent of Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
RNLI at 200
In 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
