Porsche 911 on a Mission: Fowey RNLI Welcomes Fundraisers on 8,000-Mile Journey

On Sunday, 22nd September, volunteer members of Fowey RNLI welcomed the RNLI-911 2024 challenge team to their lifeboat station as part of an ambitious fundraising journey to buy a new lifeboat.

Belinda and James Richardson are driving over 8,000 miles around the UK and Ireland in their challenge 911 Porsche Carrera, named Splash. They aim to visit all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations within 911 hours, raising funds for the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in 2024. Their goal is to raise enough money to buy a relief D class lifeboat.

Raising Funds for a New Lifeboat

The couple began their challenges back in 2018, hoping to gather sponsorship and donations to support the RNLI. So far, they have raised over £83,000 and are pushing to reach their target of £110,000 by the end of 2024. Belinda, a devoted fan of both the RNLI and Porsche Carreras, shared some unique insights with the crew: “Both the Porsche 911 and the D class lifeboat first went into production in 1963. The D class is the same length and the same width as a Porsche Carrera, and when we buy the relief D class lifeboat it will be given the number 911, which needed special permission from the RNLI, as it is out of the normal numbering sequences allocated to new lifeboats.”

Special Photo Opportunity at Fowey

The Fowey lifeboat crew took the opportunity to bring out their D class lifeboat for a unique photo session with Splash. During the visit, Belinda and James also presented the crew with a limited edition ‘Top Trumps’ game that they created using facts gathered about all the RNLI lifeboat stations they have visited. Two of their fundraising sponsors were also present, gifting the crew a special edition 911 challenge jigsaw puzzle.

Support from the RNLI

Jayne George, RNLI Director of Fundraising, expressed her gratitude: “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.”

She added, “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.”

For more details on the 911 challenge, visit RNLI-911 Challenge, and to learn more about the D class inshore lifeboats, head to RNLI’s D Class Lifeboat.

Photo Credit: Fowey RNLI