South Shore's Big Ryan boosts town's RNLI

And Ryan,34, from South Shore, came up with a novel way to do it - getting sponsored to walk up and down Blackpool FC's stands at the Bloomfield Road stadium, covering every square feet.

He was at the stadium on Saturday to take on the latest quest and he has now raised £1,000 .

Among those to sponsor him were ex-Blackpool player and current Bolton Wanderers manager, Ian Evatt , ex-Blackpool winger and current Squires Gate man Trevor Sinclair and Morecambe captain Sam Lavelle.

Ryan, supported on the walk by pals, is helping Blackpool RNLI's efforts to buy a new D Class lifeboat

The Seasiders fan said: "The RNLI do a brilliant job volunteering to save lives, but they rely on donations and fundraisers because they don't get any other help.

"My aim was just to raise as much money as possible for them so they can get the new boat and help them save more lives.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far, and Blackpool Football Club for helping me."

In 2018 alone, Blackpool's RNLI volunteers launched 109 times, making it the busiest lifeboat station in the North West,

The surf conditions in Blackpool are some of the wildest and roughest in England - and the D class is vital for manoeuvring through the strong winds to reach someone in trouble.

It costs £52,000 to fund a new D class vessel, and the RNLI is also on the campaign trail itself to raise it.

Just two weeks ago, Ryan helped set up a new weekly soup kitchen at Mag's Beach Cafe 2 on Lytham Road every Wednesday evening from 6pm, supported by the kind-hearted staff there.

He has also staged numerous other fundraisers for a variety of good causes.

Ryan's fundraiser is now complete - but Blackpool RNLI's quest continues.

For information about the new lifeboat campaign, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/blackpool-lifeboat-appeal