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 on August 23, the pair today visited Bridlington and Flamborough Lifeboat Stations.
The pair are hoping to raise awareness as well as fundraising via sponsorship and donations in order to specifically to buy a Relief ‘D’ Class Lifeboat in celebration of the RNLI's 200th Anniversary in 2024. So far they have raised over £83,000.
The fundraising couple pulled up at Bridlington RNLI at exactly 9.11am on Thursday September 12, to be greeted by volunteers from Bridlington Lifeboat Station, alongside other Porsche owners supporting the challenge.
Bridlington RNLI marked the 114th stop for the duo, and ‘Splash’ the stunning Porsche 911, and is just over the half halfway mark of their 221 RNLI stations tour.
Belinda said: “We are so pleased to visit Bridlington RNLI again today as we continue to bring the sunshine to most of the stations we have visited.”
When asked what the couple will be doing once their they complete their journey in late September, Belinda was quick to say that they had just become grandparents for the first time earlier this month and that this will occupy them for the foreseeable future.
Belinda and James then presented the station with an especially designed jigsaw and Top Trumps-style cards, which feature call-out statistics for all stations. The gifts were accepted by the Bridlington RNLI Station’s Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) Steve Clarke and Chair Lynn Shaw. With that the 911 was fired up and bang on time they set off for the next RNLI station further down the East Coast.
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/
1. Porsche 911 challenge visits Bridlington and Flamborough RNLI
Belinda and James arrive at Bridlington RNLI. Photo: RNLI/Mike Milner
2. Porsche 911 challenge visits Bridlington and Flamborough RNLI
Giving gifts to the LOM at Flamborough RNLI. Photo: Rod Newton
3. Porsche 911 challenge visits Bridlington and Flamborough RNLI
The Porsche 911 Challenge at Bridlington RNLI. Photo: RNLI/Mike Milner
4. Porsche 911 challenge visits Bridlington and Flamborough RNLI
Capturing the moment. Photo: Rod Newton