Welsh RNLI fundraisers home and dry after 747 mile cycle challenge
A group of Celtic rowers from Madog Yacht Club in Porthmadog are hoping for some final donations, as they prepare to present the RNLI with the final amount raised by cycling around Wales. They visited all 30 RNLI stations in Wales during the arduous challenge.
The team consisting of Jill and Richard Gloster, Isobel and Steve Weakes, Bob Chamberlain, Mike James and Ian Williamson are all members of the yacht club.
They began their cycle challenge on 5 September at Criccieth RNLI Lifeboat Station with an impressive and unexpected send off from RNLI volunteers, staff, friends, family and well-wishers.
They headed along the Llyn Peninsula, then round Anglesey, from Flint inland through Oswestry, Abergavenny and Cardiff. They headed along the coast with overnight stops in Swansea, Carmarthen, Pembroke, Newport, Aberaeron, Aberdyfi before arriving back at Criccieth, on 18 September to a fantastic welcome.
Ian Williamson said:
‘Having cycled 747.1 miles and ascended 42,674 feet, we certainly had a challenge. The weather was kind and only on a couple of occasions did we get absolutely soaked in the thunder storms. The picturesque scenery in Wales is mainly magnificent and compensated for the challenge ahead.
‘On behalf of the Criccieth 2 Criccieth 700 Team, I wish to thank everyone for their support, encouragement, and generous donations for our RNLI fundraising challenge.
‘We’d also like to thank all the RNLI volunteers and staff not only for making us most welcome when visiting their stations but for continuing to provide a 24 hour search and rescue service around the UK.’
Anyone able to get their fundraising efforts a final push, can visit:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/criccieth2criccieth700
For more information, please contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager in Wales and the North West on 07886 668829. Alternatively, please call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or email [email protected].
Notes to editors
Please find attached j-peg images of the team at the beginning and end of their challenge.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.