By Couple finish monumental journey to all UK lifeboat stations at RNLI Humber
Yorkshire-based retiree, David Holdsworth, recently visited Humber Lifeboat Station on completion of his tour of RNLI Lifeboat Stations to raise money in memory of his mum.
David, 70, and his wife Hazel, from Wakefield, purchased a Volkswagen Campervan T6 and set off from Cleethorpes Lifeboat Station in March on an ambitious and intense 66-day schedule to visit 180 RNLI Lifeboat Stations, staying in various Caravan Parks and B&Bs on the way.
Arriving at the station, David said the journey had been “pretty mad, but very exciting and very challenging at my age!”
David averaged roughly 100 miles a day in the ‘Betty Bus’ campervan, named after Hazel’s mum, which transported the couple 4,625 miles around England, Wales, and Scotland.
Max Austerfield, MD of Austops, a leading UK manufacturer of pop tops for camper vans, who sponsored David’s Lifeboat Tour says “We’re really proud to have helped David support the RNLI.”
RNLI Senior Community Manager Sarah Child says: “We are truly grateful to David for his epic challenge raising vital funds for the RNLI in memory of his mum. The RNLI is powered by the public’s generosity and we are so grateful for his support, which will help us to continue to save everyone.”
Sharing his inspiration behind the journey, David said he and Hazel visited all 180 Lifeboat Stations around England, Scotland and Wales in March and April this year, with all donations going towards the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Posting his journey online he said: “Since being a young boy it has been no secret that this was my Mum’s favourite charity which is the inspiration behind this journey. So to honour my mum and all the lives lost at sea it would be much appreciated if you could show your support.
“92% of the Institution’s income is from donations, with the remaining 8% from their own activities so every little helps.”
Any monetary donations can be made Just Giving page.
(Image: RNLI Humber)
