Fundraiser for RNLI who helped search for missing windsurfer off Hunstanton

His former colleagues & family want to say 'thank you'

Author: Sharon PlummerPublished 19th Nov 2020
Last updated 19th Nov 2020

The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, with the agreement of the Bamfield family, has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for the RNLI as a heartfelt thank you for their role in the search for former executive director, Chris Bamfield.

Lorraine Gore, Chief Executive at the borough council, said:

"We are all still reeling from the shock of the weekend's events. The family that is the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk has taken this hard.

"We, along with Chris’s wife Vanessa and children Ashton and Jamie, want to show our gratitude to the emergency services involved in the search for Chris, and we felt that this would be an appropriate way to show our support and encourage anyone else who felt they wanted to, to do likewise."

Chris sadly went missing while windsurfing off the coast of Hunstanton on Saturday (14 November).

Chris sadly went missing off the coast of Hunstanton on saturday.

Chris' family, who have given their blessing to raise funds for the RNLI, to say thank you for all their effort, said:

"Chris lived life to the max. He was always fanatical about everything he did, and windsurfing was at the top of that list.

"The effort and dedication shown by the emergency services in their effort to bring him home have left us all truly humbled. To show our appreciation as a family, we would like to contribute to the RNLI in his name, and we know he would appreciate anyone else, able and willing to do so, to do the same.”

RNLI crews from Hunstanton, Wells and Cromer were all involved in the search, which was stood down on Monday - his board and sail had been recovered earlier that day.

Search teams looked into the night to try and find Mr Bambridge

The RNLI is a registered charity that saves lives at sea. It provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service to 100 miles out from the coast of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and a beach lifeguard service on over 200 beaches in England.

The RNLI continues to rely on voluntary contributions and legacies for its income.

Anyone wanting to show their support can do so here. Anything raised to support these vital emergency services would be very much appreciated.