The RNLI is to benefit from a fundraising initiative by B elinda & James Richardson, a young (at heart) retired London couple, in their ‘challenge car’, a Porsche 911 nicknamed ‘SPLASH’.

 The mission of this remarkable couple is to raise awareness of this unique organisation run by volunteers whose sole purpose is to ‘save lives’. They are raising funds via sponsorship and donations specifically to buy a ‘D’ Class Lifeboat by 2024. Their initiative has already raised over £55,000 of the £80,000 needed to fund the lifeboat.

THE CHALLENGE

This year’s challenge is to drive anti-clockwise around England visiting all 116 RNLI Lifeboat Stations, travelling over 3,000 miles in just 23 days. The circuit starts at Jersey Lifeboat Station on 23 August, reaching Chiswick RNLI on 29 August, and finishing at Poole Lifeboat Station on 15 September.

Tour locations include the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Belinda & James: “We are humbled by the 6,500 volunteers; be it the boat crews, land crew, lifeguards or fundraisers and wish to put our 'new found freedom' as retirees to good use by supporting their gallant efforts.”

The couple have already completed tours around the UK. Previous challenges include every RNLI Lifeboat Station in Wales, Scotland and the island of Ireland .

RNLI-911 CHALLENGE 2023

Christian and Gill Harper are the ‘husband and wife team’ of property consultancy Harpers of Chiswick : “We are delighted to sponsor Belinda and James in this year’s RNLI-911 Challenge and look forward to following their endeavour and donating a blue plaque when the Porsche 911 arrives at Chiswick.

“As a lifelong ocean sailor the RNLI has always been close to my heart. Our son rows on the river twice a week so it’s reassuring to know that emergency support is close to hand.

“We will always support the RNLI, forfeiting our fees on a lettings property so that the Chiswick Station has a more affordable apartment for the crew to rest and sleep during 24 hour 'on call’.

“It’s a remarkable local asset that us locals should not take for granted.” 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Companies, families and individuals can sponsor part of a drive to a local station, such as Chiswick RNLI, or advertise on the car, or make an online donation, to raise the funds to get that ‘D’ class lifeboat by 2024!

Supporters can have a personalised plaque presented to the crew and staff at Chiswick Lifeboat on their leg of the challenge (29 Aug). Everyone is welcome to come along on the day to greet the tour car and meet the volunteers, fundraisers and supporters.

Find out more and check out the timetable of all the Lifeboat stations. Make and online donation here. 100% of every penny donated will go towards the 'D' Class Lifeboat Appeal.

About the ‘D’ Class

 The ‘D’ Class Lifeboat is involved in more than 60% of all RNLI rescues. Its small size enables it to access inaccessible waters that the larger 'All Weather Lifeboats’ cannot reach. As well as shallow inshore waters it copes with fair to moderate conditions and big surf, and can sustain 3 hours at sea travelling at 25 knots – crucial when lives are at risk.

About Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Station

One of four lifeboats on the river Thames, Chiswick been operational since 2002. Along with the other emergency services, Chiswick is ready to launch and operate on the river 24hours a day, 365 days a year. 

As the second busiest lifeboat station across the UK and Ireland, the crew respond to an average of over 200 shouts a year and rely entirely on donations from the general public to ensure they can keep launching to save lives in London. The kit, training, lifeboat and station maintenance are all vital to ensure we can all be rescued if ever we are in need.

June 9, 2023