Redcar RNLI crew swap boats for boots
A team of volunteer crew from Redcar RNLI has just completed the National Three Peaks challenge raising money to help with their Lifeboat Station’s efforts towards saving lives at sea. The challenge was to climb all three mountains, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours.
Ben Cutter, Jamie McKewan and Ben Howard, set off on their epic journey to Ben Nevis and the start of their challenge on Sunday 1 June.
Ben Cutter and Jamie were the walkers while Ben Howard was the team’s driver for the journey.
Jamie McKewan, who has completed this challenge on two other occasions, said: "I wanted to do the three peaks one more time and thought it would be a good way of raising money for our lifeboat station. Both Bens were keen to be involved, so once we set the date there was no going back."
Ben and Jamie set off from the foot of Ben Nevis at 10am on Monday 2 June. They finished the challenge exactly 23 hours 10 minutes and 51 seconds later.
During their walks, they encountered heat as they climbed Ben Nevis wearing their dry suits, freezing temperatures on the summit, 50 mph winds on Scafell Pike and low cloud on all the mountain tops. They walked a total of 21 miles and climbed 9,691 feet.
Ben Cutter said: "This must be one of the toughest things I have ever done. We were both absolutely exhausted when we finished. The backing we got from supporters of the RNLI has been overwhelming. One couple we encountered on Ben Nevis donated £50 on the spot."
Mike Picknett, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Redcar RNLI said: "This was an outstanding effort by our fellow volunteer crew members. Fundraising is very important to the RNLI and the monies raised could be used on crew training, fuel for our lifeboats during rescues or to buy valuable safety kit like dry suits."
Notes to Editors
Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
RNLI Media contacts
For more information, please contact Andy Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer, Redcar RNLI on 07954 435834 or 01642 484491 or email [email protected]
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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.
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