Margate RNLI’s thank you outing for epic fundraiser Alex Ellis-Roswell

Alex (centre) lines up with the lifeboat crew prior to launching on the training exercise (RNLI Margate)

Margate’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew have treated Alex Ellis-Roswell to a trip on the town’s all-weather lifeboat as a small token of thanks following his marathon 9,500 mile walk around the UK and Ireland in aid of the RNLI.

Alex, who lives in Birchington, came to the end of the three- year trek around the coast of the UK and Ireland last month.

Alex is hugged by his mum as he reaches the end of his epic journey Photo Ramsgate RNLI

During his fundraising journey he visited every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations.

On a cold and blustery Sunday morning, the Margate crew invited Alex to join them in one of their regular training exercises. He was able to see the crew at work, carrying out drills and learn first-hand how important fundraisers such as himself are in achieving the charity’s aim of saving lives around the coast.

When Alex set out from Minnis Bay on his epic walk three years ago,  Margate lifeboat station was his first stop. Together with local supporters and crew members from some of the stations he visited, Margate’s lifeboat crew were on hand to welcome him back home and accompany him for the final (short!) stretch of the walk.

Photo Ramsgate RNLI

So far Alex has raised around £70,000 and hopes to reach £90,000 representing £10 for each mile he walked.

It is not too late to donate to help Alex achieve his hard-earned target, follow this link to help – www.bt.com/DonateToLifeboats

Peter Barker, Margate RNLI volunteer Lifeboat press officer, said: ‘Lifeboat crews rely totally on the efforts of fundraisers and supporters like Alex but his sacrificing three years of his life to raise funds is just remarkable to say the least.

“Taking him along on one of our exercises to see where the money goes is but a very small way of saying thank you.”

Read here: Birchington lad Alex Ellis-Roswell has completed his epic 9,500 mile journey in aid of the RNLI