A TEAM of ten walkers from defence technology company QinetiQ recently arrived at Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat station at the end of a hike through Dorset which raised £1,600 for the life-saving charity.

The team, led by Emily Sage, Alison Clerici and Andy Sheath, walked a total of 24 miles from Portesham to Lyme Regis as part of a three-event fundraising effort – arriving at Lyme’s RNLI station on September 27, pictured.

The walkers, from QinetiQ sites at Farnborough and Malvern, also raised funds with a wellie wanging competition.

In addition, a cake sale is planned for the end of October.

The walkers were welcomed with tea and biscuits at the lifeboat station by deputy launching authority Nick Marks.

Mr Marks said: “The RNLI depends on the goodwill of fundraisers like this to fund its life-saving service and to keep its volunteers properly equipped.”

Joint team leader Emily Sage added: “We thoroughly enjoyed the walk and were encouraged along the way by people who saw our RNLI shirts and wished us well.”

Operating from within the world famous Cobb Harbour, the lifeboat station at Lyme Regis has an inshore B class lifeboat. So far, the crews have been presented with 20 awards for gallantry.

The station is classed as an ‘explore’ station, designed to offer the best visitor experience. With free access, visitors can go inside and look around the station, see the lifeboat and, in most cases, pre-book a tour.

They are normally open all year and have an RNLI gift shop.