Visiting all the RNLI stations to raise money for the RNLI

09/09/2026

Well Done RNLI.

The RNLI is a charity that exists to save lives at sea. But recent events have generated deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about our purpose and our lifesaving work in the Channel.

As a result, some of our volunteers and staff have been the subject of online and, in some cases, physical abuse. This is unacceptable.

The RNLI’s people represent the very best of society. For over two hundred years they have dedicated themselves to rescuing people they’ve never met before, without judgment, fear or favour.

We are tasked by HM Coastguard to help those in distress, and we'll do so whenever, wherever and whoever they are.

We launched 9,058 times in 2025. Only 109 of those launches were to those in distress in the Channel – 1.2% of our total rescue work. Anyone rescued from a small boat by the RNLI is then taken into the care of the relevant UK authorities.

To those who stand with the RNLI, thank you. For more than two hundred years, we've saved lives at sea around the UK and Ireland, and that commitment remains unchanged.

09/09/2026

Well done to all the RNLI members, selflessly risking their lives to save others.
It is horrible to hear of the online and in person hate the RNLI and individual volunteers are receiving.

"For over two hundred years, in all weathers, in peace and war, the RNLI and our amazing volunteers and staff have selflessly dedicated themselves to rescuing people they have never met before, without judgment, fear or favour. "
Peter Sparkes, RNLI Chief Executive

26/08/2026

My most recent set of visits was very special, not only reaching 50 RNLI lifeboat stations but also my first solo set of visits. I faced challenges having to walk and use public transport to get around shetland let alone the almost 1000km journey up to shetland.

I flew from London up to Aberdeen (getting the RNLI badge into the cockpit of my flight), then took the overnight NorthLink Ferries across to Lerwick.

First was RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat, station number 49. There I met Coxswain Stephen, Mechanic Cammy and Relief Mechanic Martin. I met Martin previously at RNLI Kirkwall Lifeboat so it was very nice to update him on my progress. He then very kindly opened showed me around their Severn class all-weather lifeboat which is one of few to have received a complete refurbishment.

Then I got two buses to RNLI Aith Lifeboat to visit my 50th lifeboat station. Aith is the most northerly lifeboat station in the whole of the UK so I felt it fitting to mark this milestone. Robbie showed me around their Severn class lifeboat moored on their custom pier.

Huge thanks to everyone at Lerwick and Aith who gave up their time and made this trip so memorable, and everyone at the previous 50 stations who have helped me hit this milestone.

Please consider donating to support the incredible work of the RNLI and follow this page to keep up with the visits

22/08/2026

After a mammoth couple of days last week visiting fourteen stations down the North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast, my challenge continues and this time I am heading all the way to Shetland.

On Tuesday I will be visiting RNLI Lerwick Lifeboat first thing once the ferry gets in, before making my way across the island to RNLI Aith Lifeboat. This one is really special, because Aith is not only my 50th station but also the most northerly lifeboat station in the whole of the UK.

I cannot wait for this one, and a huge thank you in advance to both stations for having me.

22/08/2026

Day two of this batch took me along the Holderness and Lincolnshire coast, visiting five stations. I started at RNLI Withernsea, where Darren and the crew kindly met me early and gave me a brilliant insight into how they launch, how they keep the crew safe, and all the kit they carry on their D class.

As I arrived at RNLI - Humber Lifeboat Station, I saw their Severn class boat heading out after it had just been paged. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to stick around as I was already running a bit behind.

Next was RNLI Cleethorpes, where Steve showed me their fantastic new station and new boats, and explained how a tidal range of around a mile and a half, along with the sandbars and shifting channels, makes it such a hazardous stretch of coast.

The crew at Mablethorpe RNLI Lifeboat kindly showed me around their boats, before I finished at RNLI Skegness with a photo of their SLARS.

A huge thank you once again to every station and every volunteer who gave up their time and made these two days so special, with me having now reached 48 stations visited!

Please consider donating to help fund the amazing work all these volunteers do, from fundraisers, shop volunteers, shore crew, boat crew and everyone that gives up their time to help others.
https://gofund.me/46c08ef0f

22/08/2026

Day one of this batch of visits took me all the way up to the North East and Yorkshire coast, visiting nine stations. I started at RNLI - Sunderland Lifeboat Station, the oldest lifeboat station in the country, which is home to a B class Atlantic 85 and a D class. Thanks to Claire and Matthew for giving me an amazing tour.
From there I headed to Hartlepool RNLI, where Jimmy gave me a really detailed tour of their Shannon class, and in particular the screens on board and just how much information the crew have in front of them.

Next was RNLI Redcar, where Mike and Tony showed me round and explained how they have to cross the road to launch. I also visited the Zetland Lifeboat Museum and got to see the Zetland, which is the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world.
I stopped for a photo at Staithes and Runswick RNLI Lifeboat Station, which sits in a really beautiful bay, before carrying on to Whitby RNLI lifeboat, where Richard showed me around the boathouse, talked me through the RCAMS pager system, and looked at their davit launched D class.

At Scarborough Lifeboat Station I met Roger (the LOM) and also met the press officer, and got my first in person look at a SLARS, which is a seriously impressive bit of kit.
Barbara gave me an in-depth tour of the Filey Lifeboat and their boats, a B Class and a D class, before I grabbed a photo at Flamborough RNLI.
I finished the day at RNLI Bridlington Lifeboats, where Jake gave me an amazing tour of the whole boathouse and a real insight into how the station runs. I then had a quick look at the old lifeboat station in Bridlington, a very different size to their current ALB Station.
Thank you so much to everyone at all the stations who gave up their time.

Please consider donating to support the amazing work of the RNLI and follow this page to keep up to date:
https://gofund.me/46c08ef0f

22/08/2026

This weekend I took on one of my biggest batches yet, heading up to the North East to work my way down the coast and tick off another fourteen lifeboat stations across two days. We flew into Newcastle, picked up a hire car, and drove all the way from Sunderland down through Yorkshire finishing in Skegness, meeting some brilliant crews and volunteers along the way. It has taken me up to 48 stations visited!
More details and some photos to come.

https://gofund.me/46c08ef0f
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562313257461

50 Visited!

My name is Iolo, I am 17 years old and am attempting to visit all the RNLI stations in the UK, to raise awareness of the amazing work they do and fundraise on my journey.

04/08/2026

34 Visited!
I am currently planning to visit some more in the remainder of the summer holidays, so will post once visited.

26/05/2026

Thanks to the amazing RNLI, who launched a staggering 172 times on Sunday and Monday.
Well done to everyone who sacrificed time on their bank holiday, from shore crew, lifeboat crew and everyone else.

26/04/2026

35 Completed! 15% along my journey!

Yesterday I got the opportunity to visit TowerRNLI with the Worshipful Company of Fuellers. We first had a talk by Stephen Wheatley, about the RNLI generally, then lifeboats on the Thames and finally Tower lifeboat specifically, the busiest station.
We then got a quick tour before being shown their E-Class lifeboat, the fastest in the RNLI fleet.

One statistic I found particularly interesting was calculated by the Worshipful Company of Actuaries. 146,700 lives have been saved (A very conservative figure), and this has been calculated out to 4 Million people alive today due to the RNLI (again, a very conservative figure).

Thanks to Stephen, Al and all the other crew at the station, and also the Worshipful Company of Fuellers for inviting me after the Lord Mayors Parade last year.(https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02HpnSDHfXpkLQqzcJrT8YtKxkiFXVtphx7F4Ppa9dVDBRoETrs9w1ZKvAqN11Uj5tl&id=61562313257461 )