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Hunstanton golfers tee up £38,000 donation for the RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Golfers drove their way to more than £38,000 for the charity that saves lives at sea during a busy competition on the Norfolk coast..

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The Hunstanton RNLI team in action at the charity golf day
Some 180 players took to the greens at Hunstanton Golf Club on Friday, 20 June.

Proceeds from the event have now been confirmed as £38,145 by the Hunstanton and West Norfolk Lifeboat Guild, which raises funds for the RNLI.

Guild member and keen golfer David Umbers, who organised the golf day, said: 'We were very pleased, it was a very successful day.

'We had more players than we normally do and competitions we don't normally have like beat the pro and the longest drive.

'The money will go to help save lives at sea so it's a win-win situation for everyone made possible by the kindness of Hunstanton Golf Club, their general manager Chris White and the committee for allowing us to use the course for free.'

David added an army of volunteers had helped to make the event run smoothly and thanked local businesses for their generosity in donating raffle prizes and other items.

The 19th Hole also enjoyed a busy afternoon after player and fellow guild member Julia West scored her first-ever hole in one on the 14th Green during the event.

Golfing tradition has it players doing so must stand the bar a drink - leaving Julia with a £470 tab from players toasting her hallowed feat.

'It was probably the last day you'd want to get a hole in one,' said David.

Editor's notes

Hunstanton Golf Club is little over a decent drive away from the lifeboat station.

The RNLI is its official charity, which it has supported by hosting a charity day for more than 10 years.

Hunstanton is one of Norfolk's busiest lifeboat stations, whose volunteers operate both the inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

They cover The Wash, a tidal estuary stretching for more than 100 square miles fed by five main rivers, along with parts of the north Norfolk coastline.

Like more than 200 RNLI stations around the coast of the UK and Ireland, the crew's lifesaving work could not be possible without the kindness of those who give donations or leave legacies to the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

For more information call Chris Bishop, Hunstanton RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07584 147219 or the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Julia West, who racked up a £470 bar bill after scoring a hole in one at the event

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The event was hosted by Hunstanton Golf Club, whose adopted charity is the RNLI

RNLI/Chris Bishop

A woman tees off at the charity golf day in aid of the RNLI

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The Hunstanton RNLI team of (from left) Seamus Griffin, Bob McDonald, Jeff Lenton and Joe Sarsby

RNLI/Chris Bishop

The Hunstanton RNLI team in action on the day

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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.

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