Mudeford RNLI welcome life-long fundraiser to station.

Luke Jenkins having completed his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award with a final walk across Hengistbury Head, came to the station with his family and friends, to handover a giant cheque for over £1300 that he had raised for the RNLI.

Luke, who is 22 years of age, has a dual diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome & autism and is non-speaking. He also has mobility difficulties and communicates with support by spelling, however, Luke has not allowed his diagnoses to hold him back from a lifetime of fundraising.

Luke is in his final year as a term time residential student at Sheiling College, an outstanding special needs college in Ringwood. A key part of the ethos of the college is developing the whole individual to keep learning, become as independent as possible, and strive to achieve the best that the individual can be.

This year as part of his development, Luke has been following the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, which includes volunteering, skill development and completing a trek and overnight camping. He loves the College and all the opportunities it has given him to grow, learn and become more independent.

Luke has been a life-long RNLI volunteer collector. He started with his family as a baby, helping with the annual door to door collection in Bourne End, in Buckinghamshire, where the family are members of Upper Thames RNLI Branch. This progressed to being a regular volunteer collector at various supermarket collections locally.

Two years ago, Luke was awarded his 20 Year Service Medal and was delighted to receive an invitation to attend the special RNLI 200 Year Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last year. He said he felt so proud to have been included and felt very lucky to attend.

When Luke moved to Sheiling College in Ringwood, he continued his volunteering. In 2023 he entered the RNLI Santa Fun Run at Moors Valley Country Park. Due to his mobility problems, he entered the Santa Saunter and asked people to sponsor him, raising over £850.00. He also continued to help with collections back in Bourne End when home on holiday from college.

Since Luke has been at Sheiling College his whole family have all started helping the Mudeford RNLI Fundraising Crew and supporting the Mudeford RNLI Funday. This term Luke decided that he would like to fundraise again raising money for the Mudeford Lifeboat Station, inspired by his Duke of Edinburgh Award. His sister Alicia set up a fundraising page which currently stands at £950.00.

Explaining why he loves volunteering for the RNLI, Luke said, ‘They are so brave. I want to help. People welcome and help me. People like me want to help. I am very proud to be a collector. When I leave college, I want to keep helping them’.

Luke’s mother, Aisling Jenkins said, ‘The whole family are incredibly proud of Luke. He inspires our friends and family and people he meets. The RNLI is there for anyone who needs them 365 days a year 24/7 and the people who work, volunteer and support them come from all walks of life. Luke hopes that more people like him will realise that they too can be a volunteer.’

Mudeford RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tim Hewett, said, ‘We were delighted and honoured to be welcoming Luke to the station at the end of the final stage of his Duke of Edinburgh Award. He is an amazing young man who, in spite of the challenges he faces every day, has dedicated himself all his life to helping others. On behalf of all the Mudeford RNLI crew, thank you Luke for all your commitment and hard work. You really are helping to save lives at sea.’

To make a donation to Luke’s fundraising:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/luke-jenkins-rnli

For more information on Sheiling College visit:

https://www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk/

The Mudeford RNLI Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Henrietta H, has launched 30 times this year so far. In 2024, the crew responded to 82 shouts.

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.