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Man walked every street in Portishead for RNLI fundraiser

Robin Sherlock Bob Crane walking with a group of people behind himRobin Sherlock
Mr Crane walked with a teddy bear - named Captain Flint, after the parrot in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, Treasure Island - on his shoulder

An 80-year-old man has walked every street, road and track of his local town in a fundraising challenge for the RNLI.

Bob Crane, from Portishead, began the challenge in April. He successfully completed it on 17 July, the same day as his 80th birthday.

Mr Crane raised £2,890 for the town's lifeboat crew.

The former lifeboat operations manager said: "The pinnacle of all of it was the lovely people I met."

On the final day of the challenge, Mr Crane was accompanied by members of his family and volunteers from RNLI Portishead.

According to the exercise app Strava, by the time he finished the challenge, he had walked 131.26m (211.24km) and gained an altitude of 8,019ft (2,444m).

Robin Sherlock Bob Crane walking with a group of people behind himRobin Sherlock
Mr Crane said there was "not a bad thing about it at all - except maybe the hills"

Mr Crane said he was inspired to do something "that hadn't been done before" in the run up to his 80th birthday.

After walking more frequently during lockdown, he decided to embark on the challenge.

"I wanted to raise awareness that we're the only emergency service that does it all for free.

"It's a tremendous commitment and we've always had an incredible team from all walks of life," he said

Robin Sherlock Bob Crane with RNLI Portishead team and his familyRobin Sherlock
Mr Crane's family and members of the RNLI Portishead team met him at the end of the challenge

Mr Crane said the best parts of the "interesting experience" were getting the opportunity to explore new parts of Portishead, see the history of the town, and meeting people along the way.

He added: "I'd like to be able to thank everybody for their generosity - not only the money they've given but for the well wishes and kind thoughts they've given to me.

"It's not only Portishead. Within minutes of being on the radio, somebody from Wells had heard and donated £50.

"People have listened to me when I've talked to them and told them what we do."

Although his walking challenge has concluded, Bob's JustGiving page for RNLI Portishead will be collecting donations until September.

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