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Lynn News lensman gets on his bike for lifeboat appeal

The Lynn News has launched a bid to raise £125,000 for the RNLI Hunstanton Lifeboat service.

The paper is urging its readers to donate cash or organise fundraising events for a new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat which will help crews respond to emergencies more rapidly.

And Lynn News photographer Paul Tibbs is leading the way with his own fundraising event – a 50-mile sponsored bike ride.

The 26-year-old, who has worked at the Lynn News for seven years, will be swapping his camera for two wheels next month as he takes on the challenge of cycling Norfolk’s picturesque Peddars Way.

  • Paul (front) with some of
    the lifeboat crew
  • He is hoping to raise £500 from the event, which will be no easy feat for him as the last time he cycled regularly was at school.

    The appeal also has a special place in his heart as he grew up with sailing in the family: his father was rescued during a sailing trip by Wells RNLI lifeboat.

    Paul said: “They give up their own time and put themselves in danger to help others, it’s an extremely worthy cause.”

    He will start the Peddars Way challenge at Suffolk’s Knettishall Heath Country Park, east of Thetford, and follow a 2,000-year-old Roman road to Holme, where the track meets the Norfolk Coast Path.

    Paul will leave Peddars Way near Holme, to finish in front of the lifeboat station in Old Hunstanton.

    Lynn News editor Malcom Powell said: “The Hunstanton lifeboat service is priceless. It is there not just to save the lives of local sea users, but provides round-the-clock protection for the many thousands of visitors to our area every year.

    “Readers of the Lynn News have demonstrated countless times in the recent past that they are prepared to rally in support of good causes and we are confident they will do the same this time.”

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