A couple from Didcot have visited every RNLI lifeboat station in a bid to raise £10,000 for the charity.

Julian Coles and Debbie Claridge set off from the RNLI's headquarters at Poole in Dorset on January 1, aiming to visit all 238 of the charity's lifeboat stations.

The couple have been delivering three Betty's Pots, recycled jam jars which supporters use to collect 5p pieces, to each station.

They are also hoping to raise £10,000 in memory of two RNLI supporters.

Both Mr Coles and Ms Claridge are members of the Marlborough Social Club in their home town, whose members raised £10,000 to buy a D-class lifeboat for the relief fleet in 1988.

Mr Coles' late father, Trevor, a keen sea angler who passed away aged 81 last year, was one of the driving forces behind the campaign, which included a 24-hour darts marathon before members hit the target.

Julian Coles and Debbie Claridge at Hunstanton RNLIJulian Coles and Debbie Claridge at Hunstanton RNLI (Image: RNLI/Kate Craven) Friend Alan Perks, who also passed away last year, aged 65, was another faithful RNLI supporter who inspired them to try to match the £10,000 raised by the Marlborough Club in 1988.

Ten months on, the pair have now completed the challenge with a visit to Hunstanton in Norfolk, where they were welcomed by volunteers on Tuesday, October 15.

Kate Craven, visits officer, said: "It was a privilege to welcome Julian and Debbie.

"We're so grateful to the pair of them to commit to funding the lifesaving work of the RNLI, while also working five days a week.

"The RNLI relies on the generosity of people like Julian and Debbie. And they even brought a cake.

"If there's one thing our crew are always grateful for, it's cake."

Julian Coles and Debbie Claridge at Hunstanton RNLIJulian Coles and Debbie Claridge at Hunstanton RNLI (Image: RNLI/Kate Craven) Mr Coles and Ms Claridge estimate they have driven more than 10,000 miles in their Nissan Juke, along with taking 30 flights and 10 ferries to reach some of the RNLI's more remote outposts.

Lorry driver Mr Coles, 62, said: "It took six months of planning. There's no relief on finishing it to be honest.

"There's sadness it's over, it's been our life for the last 10 months and it's left us slightly bereft and wondering what to do next."

So far, their JustGiving page has raised £3,000, while they have donated £1,500 in Betty's Pots and hope to raise a further £2,000 with a bingo night, auction, and raffle at the Marlborough Club on Friday, October 18.

The couple have also collected station pin badges from each stop-off on their route, which will be auctioned off as a complete collection.