Why landlocked Leicester has lent its name to RNLI's latest lifeboat
A lifeboat has been paid for by funds raised in Leicester.
The £204,000 boat will operate from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's station, in Redcar on Teeside, but has been funded by volunteers and supporters from Leicester, more than 150 miles away.
Leicester Challenge III will be officially named tomorrow during a service at the station in Redcar. It will be attended by people from Teesside and Leicester.
The Atlantic 85 class is the most advanced inshore lifeboat produced by the RNLI and can reach speeds of up to 35 knots.
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She is fitted with a radar system, radio direction-finding equipment and a sophisticated chart plotter to aid search-and-rescue operations, particularly in low visibility.
Redcar RNLI lifeboat operations manager Dave Cammish said: "Our previous lifeboat, Leicester Challenge II, served us extremely well for more than a decade, but we are already seeing the benefits of having the additional capability that the updated Atlantic 85 brings.
"The crew has already put her through her paces on 20 shouts.
"They have been very impressed with the extra speed and new kit, such as radar.
"Every time our new lifeboat is launched, the people of Leicester can rest assured that their generosity continues to help people in difficulty at sea."
Chairman of the RNLI's Leicester branch, Derrick Young, said: "Even though Leicester is about 70 miles from the nearest RNLI lifeboat station, people in the city really value the work of the RNLI and want to support the wonderful work of the volunteer crews.
"Our small branch of fund-raisers is really committed, always rise to the next challenge.
"We are very much looking forward to visiting Redcar and seeing the lifeboat being Christened."
The lifeboat will be officially named by John Harrison, a member of the Leicester RNLI branch.
Comments
by suenorthedge
Friday, September 28 2012, 7:02PM
“The lifeboat in Staithes along the same coast was from donations in Leicester too in fact it is called 'The Pride of Leicester'”
by Bob491
Friday, September 28 2012, 1:43PM
“RNLI's Leicester branch can be justifiably immensely proud of themselves for contributing so much for such a vitally important charity, despite being so far from the sea.”