2024 marks the 200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). My Mom and Dad (Maisie and Bill Cotton) were Committee Members of RNLI Birmingham Branch for nearly 40 years and were awarded a statuette in 1986 to acknowledge their support. In 1983 I was employed by the RNLI as an Area Organiser for 15 years and met many interesting people, both on the sea and off. My walking challenge this year is to walk the South West Coastal Path (630 miles) and raise funds for the RNLI in their memory.

In the late 1960's Mom and Dad were involved in the fund raising appeal for a new lifeboat to be named RNLI City of Birmingham and stationed at Exmouth in 1970. In the 1990's Mom and Dad were again involved in the fund raising appeal for the RNLI Forward Birmingham and again to be stationed in Exmouth in 1996. Hence the reason I am raising funds for RNLI Exmouth Lifeboat Station in Mom and Dad's memory.

Exmouth's lifeboat station was established in 1803 and has served the community for over 220 years. The volunteer lifeboat crew provide a 24-hour search and rescue service 365 days a year, but none of this would be possible without the support of the public and their donations. It costs in the region of £250k a year to run and maintain the service in Exmouth, all of which comes from the generous donations of the public. Your donation will help to fund the selfless work of our volunteer lifeboat crew in Exmouth, by doing so you will be helping to save lives around our coast and will be providing the best equipment possible to ensure the safety of our volunteers.