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Skipton boy to visit every RNLI station in teacher's memory

Thursday, 10 September 2026 11:22

10-year-old Thomas Shaw. (Images: Rebecca Shaw)

A 10-year-old Skipton boy and his family are aiming to visit every RNLI lifeboat station in memory of a much-loved primary school teacher.

Thomas, his mum Rebecca and older sister Alice have already visited around 30 of the charity’s 238 stations.

The challenge was inspired by Thomas’s former teacher, Mrs Dryland, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

Rebecca learned at a memorial service in July that Mrs Dryland had supported the RNLI and hoped to visit every lifeboat station with her husband.

The family now plans to complete that journey before Thomas finishes Year 6, leaving a pot of cornflowers wrapped in a yellow ribbon at each station.

Cornflowers were Mrs Dryland’s favourite flower, while the yellow ribbon also held a special meaning for her.

Rebecca said:

“Ever since her parting Thomas has been sad. As a mum, you want to make it right, and although I can’t make it 100 per cent okay, I had an idea.”

Describing Mrs Dryland, she added:

“If I could ever describe her, it would be like describing Miss Honey, from the 90s film Matilda. She was simply lovely.”

Twin Locks Garden Centre in Gargrave has supported the challenge by helping the family with pots and seeds.

The family is also raising money for the RNLI through a JustGiving page.

Rebecca said:

“Please wish us luck on our quest and please give as many pennies as you feel you might be able, all in aid of the memory of Mrs Dryland and the wonderful service the RNLI do for the country.”

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