Calshot RNLI has welcomed two determined fundraisers who have toured the UK and Ireland for eleven months.

Jules and Debs, who undertook the journey to honour the late Trevor and Alan Perks, friends of Jules’ father, raised money for the RNLI.

In 1988, Trevor helped raise £10,000 for a D Class Lifeboat through the Marlborough Club.

In 2023, after both Trevor and Alan passed away, Jules and Debs decided to match that fundraising effort as a tribute.

The pair, who managed this while working, set themselves the challenge of visiting all 238 RNLI stations, plus two build and repair facilities, in under eleven months. This remarkable feat saw them travel more than ten thousand five hundred miles, take 39 ferries, and board ten flights.

One of their missions was to deliver £5 worth of five-pence pieces to each station, which, when collected, weighed a staggering 21 stone (294lbs).

With the help of volunteers, this task was accomplished. Jules and Debs set a target to match the original £10,000 goal. They exceeded it, raising a total of £10,053 – or £11,516 with Gift Aid contributions.

The challenge was completed with the help of Calshot RNLI, where they started and ended their journey. D-407, The Marlborough Club, Didcot, which they encountered in 2003, was also present.

Commenting on the challenge, Jules said: "We were given such a fantastic welcome during every visit we made on our challenge. Whilst the boats and stations are amazing, the standout for us were the people, they are the life and soul of this wonderful organisation."

Calshot RNLI Lifeboat operations manager Mike Atwell said of the challenge and presentation: "This has been a phenomenal achievement; the sheer scale of the challenge and fundraising is off the charts. The commemorative presentation display is so special and will take pride of place on display in the station."

Jules, Debs, and Jules’ uncle Ron have since made a special presentation to the Calshot Station.

They donated the remaining five-pence pieces from their Betty’s Pot challenge, Euros collected during their Irish Station visits, a total of £408, and a framed commemorative 200th Anniversary RNLI collection.