RNLI Ilfracombe press officer launches milestone fundraiser

A volunteer press officer for the lifeboats in Ilfracombe, Gudrun Limbrick, has embarked on a commendable fundraising challenge in celebration of the RNLI’s 200th anniversary.

Gudrun, who has been involved with the lifeboat station since 2021, explained: “Since I started here in 2021, I have been doing news stories about other people’s amazing fundraising efforts. As this is the RNLI’s 200th anniversary year, I thought it was about time I did a fundraising challenge myself.”

Her ambitious goal involves running 200 kilometres to raise £200 in the lead-up to the anniversary date on March 4.

That date marks the 200th birthday of the RNLI, and Ilfracombe is gearing up for a grand celebration. Gudrun said: “We want to do as much as possible at our station to mark this, and we’re planning some really exciting stuff which will be released to the public soon.”

The celebration holds particular poignancy for Ilfracombe station, which is nearly 200 years old itself - precisely 196 years, having first established a lifeboat there in 1828.

The 200th anniversary milestone holds special significance for Ilfracombe, a station that has been steadfastly serving its community since its inception. Gudrun emphasised the local impact of fundraising efforts and said: “Every penny we raise locally gets spent locally on helping our teams to save lives at sea.”

Notably, the Ilfracombe lifeboat service operates tirelessly, collaborating closely with the local coastguard search & rescue teams and other emergency services.

In her role as the press officer, Gudrun sheds light on the dedication of the shore and boat crews in Ilfracombe, praising their readiness to respond to emergencies regardless of the weather or time of day. She said: “Having the support of the community is incredibly important to us and sharing our news with the community is a useful part of that.”

Crucially, Ilfracombe’s lifeboat station, like the broader RNLI, receives no government funding. Gudrun underscores the significance of public support: “When I thought up the idea of running 200 kilometres over two months, I hadn’t quite realised how cold, windy, and wet January was going to be. I have covered 20 kilometres so far - and experienced heavy rain, gales, and even snow!”

Despite the challenging weather conditions, Gudrun remains dedicated to her fundraising pursuit, with the community’s support being vital to sustaining the RNLI Ilfracombe’s crucial life-saving work at sea.

To support Gudrun's fundraising, you can donate to the cause here https://www.justgiving.com/page/gudrun-rnli-200-run.