Julian and Debbie’s “Betty’s Grand 5p RNLI Tour” Hits Midway Point at Looe Lifeboat Station

Halfway Milestone Reached in Nationwide Fundraising Challenge

On Saturday 15 June 2024, Julian Coles and Debbie Coles celebrated a significant milestone in their ambitious journey across the UK. Their visit to Looe RNLI Lifeboat Station marked the halfway point of their remarkable challenge to visit 240 RNLI locations within a year, in memory of Alan Perks and Julian’s father, Trevor Coles.

A Warm Welcome at Looe

Arriving at the Albatross boathouse, Julian and Debbie were warmly received by Carol Foster, Looe RNLI’s Lifeboat Visits Officer, and Ian Foster, Lifeboat Press Officer. During each of their visits, the couple donates three ‘Betty’s 5p Pots’—small jars filled with 5p coins collected from friends and family. At Looe, they made a special donation of six pots to mark the station’s appearance in the recent TV series Beyond Paradise.

Exploring the Lifeboat Station

Carol and Ian provided Julian and Debbie with a tour of the station, showcasing the charity’s launch tractors and inshore lifeboats. They explained how the Talus MB4-H tractor is used to launch the Atlantic 85 at low tide, and shared the history of the Old Lifeboat Station on the seafront and the current Albatross boathouse. The couple expressed their fascination with the unique stories and operations of each station they visit.

A Mission to Honour RNLI Supporters

Julian explained the motivation behind their journey: “We intend to complete this ‘Grand Tour’ within a year, and to donate to each station 3 jars of ‘Betty’s 5ps’ which we have collected from our amazing friends and family prior to taking on our challenge. All costs incurred during the challenge—accommodation, fuel, ferries, flights and time off work—will be covered by ourselves, and will form our own donation to the fundraising. This means every single public donation will go to the RNLI.”

Supporting the RNLI

To support Julian and Debbie in their commendable effort, the public is encouraged to sponsor them through their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/julian-coles-1701532659926.

The Origin of Betty’s 5p Pots

The idea for Betty’s 5p Pots originated from Betty Frith, who served as the Honorary Treasurer for over 20 years at the Hertford branch of the RNLI. These small jam jars, often found in hotels and cafes, are repurposed as mini collection pots for people’s loose 5p coins, which are then donated to the RNLI when full.

As Julian and Debbie continue their tour, they not only honour the legacy of dedicated RNLI supporters but also inspire communities across the UK to contribute to the vital work of the lifeboat service. Their journey is a testament to the power of grassroots fundraising and the enduring spirit of volunteerism.