Surrey Couple Marks 100th RNLI Station Visit in Fundraising Challenge

A couple from Smallfield, Surrey, Allan and Helen Thornhill, have reached a significant milestone in their mission to visit all 238 Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat stations, having now completed 100 of them. Their endeavor aims to raise funds for the life-saving charity, which commemorated its 200th anniversary earlier this year. Upon reaching their 100th location at Tower Bridge in London, Mr. Thornhill indicated that they are “on target” to finalize the challenge by summer 2026. He described their experiences traversing the UK amidst recent named storms as “interesting and a bit challenging.” Mr. Thornhill stated, “It actually focuses the mind on the conditions that the RNLI crews sometimes have to go out in.” The couple initiated their challenge in June with a visit to Teddington RNLI in south-west London. This autumn, their travels have encompassed north and south Wales, south-west Scotland, north-west England, Somerset, and the Kent areas of Gravesend and Sheerness. Mr. Thornhill remarked, “North Wales was a highlight with some amazing coastline and the people were really friendly.” Mrs. Thornhill added, “I really enjoyed Scotland because of the rugged coastlines and the warm welcome.” She also noted, “In Portishead in Somerset we were privileged enough to see our very first Atlantic lifeboat launch of the challenge, which was so interesting.” The Thornhills announced their plan to take a break during the winter months, intending to resume their journeys in March, with Cornwall as their next destination. They anticipate concluding the challenge in Poole, Dorset, which serves as the RNLI’s headquarters. The Thornhills have, to date, successfully gathered more than £1,300 for the charity.