Mayday Mile champion ends challenge at Cromer RNLI

Cromer RNLI had a very special visitor last Friday 31 May - Luca Wall. Luca is a massive RNLI supporter and he completed his Mayday Mile challenge this year in support of the charity at Cromer RNLI lifeboat station.

Luca, who is 10, decided to take on the challenge as his 'Grandie' John Powell who passed away in January 23 was a huge RNLI supporter.

John's name is on the Whitby Shannon Class 13-49, the Lois - Ivan as part of the Launch a Memory. The family followed her progress from Poole, seeing her at Lowestoft on her way to her new home at Whitby RNLI where the family also visited her.

Luca heard about the Mayday Mile and told his Mum and Dad he was doing it because of his Grandie. He has absolutely smashed the challenge walking 50 miles and raising £635!

Luca had visited Cromer RNLI last year and had a long chat with one of the volunteers Roger Sutton. He enjoyed it so much the family went back on a Sunday morning to watch the all-weather lifeboat training but had to have the RNLI logo shaved into his head first!

Luca finished his Mayday Mile challenge at Cromer Lifeboat Station last Friday. Together with Mum and Dad - Heather and Barry Wall, the station welcomed Luca and his parents. He had a tour of the station and Coxswain/mechanic Paul Watling gave him a special tour of the station's all-weather Tamar class.

Barry Wall said: 'Luca has worked so hard and we are so proud of his fund-raising efforts. It was a unique and special way to honour his Grandie and also raise money for such a great cause. We will all cherish the memory of his visit and we are so grateful to the volunteers Jane, Paul and Roger for taking the time to show us around and making Luca's dream come true.'

Paul Watling, Cromer RNLI Coxswain/mechanic said: 'We all really enjoyed meeting Luca and his parents. He was so enthusiastic about everything we do and his efforts are humbling for all of us at Cromer RNLI. We save lives at sea because of incredible people like Luca and we all are so grateful for his impressive fundraising!'

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For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]

Key facts about Cromer RNLI

The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.

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.

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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.