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 walk around the UK and Ireland in aid of the charity.

Alex, who lives in Birchington, recently came to the end of a 9,500, three-year long walk around the coast where he visited every one of the RNLI’s 238 lifeboat stations.

The crew invited Alex along 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.

Alex set out on his walk from Minnis Bay in August 2014 and 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 stretch of the walk.

So far Alex has raised more than £70,000 and hopes to reach a target of £95,000, representing £10 for each mile he walked.

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.”

To donate and help Alex achieve his target, click here