200 years ago the RNLI was founded to save lives at peril in the coastal waters around the UK. Since then, over 146,000 people have been saved from the seas around the coast – on average two every single day since 1824. 6,500 people dedicate their time and expertise, ready to drop everything and rush out to help anyone in danger, no matter the time or the weather. And in all that time the RNLI has been a charity, wholly dependent on the generosity of the public to provide them with the boats and equipment to save lives.
The tireless work of the RNLI has inspired Belinda and James Richardson to set up a unique fundraising campaign to provide the charity with a new Class D lifeboat. Their objective; set off from Morecambe on the 23rd August and drive round the coastline of the entire British Isles stopping at the 238 lifeboat stations within 911 hours. Sounds simple – until you realise this includes the Chanel Islands, Scilly Isles, Isle of Man, the Hebrides, Orkneys, Shetlands and Isle of Wight. That totals over 8,500 miles and countless ferries to reach their target. That is a lot of driving until they reach the finish line on the 30th September.
We met Belinda at an event recently and instantly decided their huge challenge deserved our support. Store Maintenance will be sponsoring the 911 Challenge and will be providing updates on their progress here on our site as well as on our LinkedIn page. And please join us if you can, either by sponsoring the car or just making a donation. You can do so via Belinda and James’ web page here.
Our very best wishes to Belinda and James, and we hope they reach their target of a new lifeboat for the RNLI. And help one of the best known charities continue to save lives for many years to come.
