Donate now

Avid young supporter presents more than £4,000 to Hunstanton RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

An eight-year-old boy visited the lifeboat crew he one day hopes to join with a donation of more than £4,000 for the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI/Chris Bishop

From left, Kayleigh Jarvis, Stu Murray, Johnathon Jarvis, Jon Butler, Lee Jarvis and Andrew Craven
Johnathon Jarvis walked the 60 or so miles from the RNLI's Happisburgh lifeboat station in north Norfolk to its base along the coast at Hunstanton in late May.

The four-day walk accompanied by parents Lee and Kayleigh was his second trek for the lifesaving charity, after a 40-mile walk from his home near Downham Market to Hunstanton raised £3,150 last year.
On Sunday, 10 August, he visited the Hunstanton crew to present a cheque for £4,337.

He joined a session of Storm Force, the station's popular kids' club, led by the station's visits and water safety lead Kate Craven.

'The running total Johnathon's raised for the RNLI so far is something like £7.907,' said Kate.

'We're a charity, we save lives at sea and we couldn't do what we do without people like him.'

Johnathon then headed for the beach, where hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer was returning from a training sortie.

'He's a unique individual who puts others before himself,' said dad Lee as the craft made its way inshore.

'He just got on with the walk and loved every mile of it.'

Hovercraft commander Jon Butler, pilot Andrew Craven and crew member Stu Murray welcomed him aboard for a catch-up.

'Johnathon's been supporting us for a number of years now,' said Jon.

'He's a real inspiration both to our crew and to other young people.'

Johnathon said: 'If the RNLI didn't have people raising money, how would they be able to save people - it would be impossible.'

Editor's Notes

Hunstanton lifeboat station operates the fast inshore lifeboat Spirit of West Norfolk and the search and rescue hovercraft Hunstanton Flyer.

Like more than 200 RNLI crews around the coast of the UK and Ireland, their lifesaving work would not be possible without the kindness of those who donate to the charity that saves lives at sea.

RNLI Images

Pictures attached you can download. Please note credit: RNLI/Chris Bishop

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

Johnathon Jarvis and parents Lee and Kayleigh, pictured with some of the Hunstanton crew after completing his trek on 1 June

RNLI/Chris Bishop

Johnathon sets off from Happisburgh lifeboat station at the start of his walk

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.

Categories