Man rescued by Salcombe RNLI returns to say thank you

A casualty rescued by Salcombe RNLI has returned to thank the team, and complete a 150-mile bike ride in aid of the charity.

George Pearce, a man who sustained serious leg injuries during a visit to Salcombe last year has raised more than £1,000 with a 150-mile bike ride from Bristol to Salcombe.

George, along with Asa Dant, Louise Reddy and Izzy Roberts, ended their ride at Salcombe RNLI this week, thanking the team who assisted him after his traumatic accident.

On his JustGiving page, George wrote: "On 20 June 2021, I had an accident whilst scrambling around the coast near Salcombe where I pulled a rock onto my legs as I fell into the sea. The rock severed the muscle in my right thigh and chipped the bone whilst doing some serious ligament damage to my left knee. The accident led to a free boat and helicopter ride as well as a good few months of being pushed around in a wheelchair.

"After four surgeries and lots of physio, I finally got on a bike again in February, a huge step in my recovery. A year on from the incident I’d like to celebrate my recovery and raise some money for the RNLI who helped me massively on the day. If you’d like to support me, please consider donating to this very worthy cause and motivate me for the long ride ahead!"

A spokesperson for Salcombe RNLI said: "Several of the crew involved in the incident that day, were on hand to greet George and his support team. After a chat in the crew room and the obligatory cup of tea, necessary at any lifeboat station. George thanked Coxswain Chris Winzar and his team, with a special note of thanks going to Esther McLarty (Lifeboat Medical Adviser), Richard Clayton, and Jeff Gillard.

George has set up a just giving page and if you would like to support him as his way of saying thank you, please visit: - www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rnli-george-pearce

Pictured with George with his fellow bikers; Asa Dant, Louise Reddy & Izzy Roberts - credit Salcombe RNLI