What do you get when you mix a love of classic cars with a passion for fundraising? You get James and Belinda Richardson who, a year ago, decided to drive anti-clockwise around the British Isles in a bright lava orange 911 Porsche, to raise awareness and funds nationally for the RNLI. (Lava Orange happens to match perfectly the instantly recognisable bright orange RNLI lifeboats!).
Their innovative challenge kicked off last Thursday 23 August at Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station. The event was supported by residents of the Teddington Wharf Estate, crew members and family and friends of the intrepid duo and we were proud to have been chosen as the starting point for their challenge. Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station is tucked away in a residential riverside development opposite Teddington Lock on the River Thames and even local people are surprised to discover there is a lifeboat station on their doorstep. (Teddington is one of four lifeboat stations on the River Thames, the others being Chiswick RNLI, Tower RNLI in central London and Gravesend RNLI.)
The weir at Teddington Lock, the largest on the River Thames, presents its own dangers and local river users know that should they find themselves in trouble on the water, Teddington RNLI are on hand 24/7 to help them out.
Tim Ody, Lifeboat Operations Manager (LOM) at Teddington RNLI said ‘We are delighted to support such an ambitious fundraising challenge. Each lifeboat crew needs the right kit to protect themselves against the elements - a dry suit alone costs £750, so any funds raised will ensure that our crew are safe and ready to respond to their pagers should the need arise.’
Why did the Richardsons decide to fundraise for the RNLI? As Belinda explained: ‘We have been fervent supporters of the RNLI since owning an inflatable on the Thames over 20 years ago, and we wanted to put something back into society by supporting a truly worthy cause such as the RNLI.’
An interesting fact - if you took a piece of string to match the distance Belinda and James will be driving around the British Isles, it would stretch from the UK to Honolulu!
Belinda and James hope to raise £238 at each of the 238 RNLI lifeboat stations around the country and had a good start at Teddington, with one generous local resident donating £250!
Their challenge will end in the RNLI's busiest station in the country, Tower RNLI, by Waterloo Bridge, River Thames, London, at 0811 on Sunday 30 September.
Gianna Saccomani, Teddington RNLI Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, who organised the Porsche 911 send-off event at Teddington added: ‘We wish them both the best of luck in their endeavour and thank them in advance for their bold fundraising challenge!’
If you would like to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rnli-911challenge
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