A MOTORCYCLING philanthropist has visited Weymouth Lifeboat Station as part of a charity adventure around Great Britain.

Matt Hawkes, 43, from Fakenham, in Norfolk, paid a visit to the station on his mission to visit over 170 lifeboat stations in the UK to raise money for the RNLI.

Mr Hawkes left home on June 5 and has made his way around Britain on his Triumph Rocket III, which has been specially painted orange and navy blue to reflect the colours of a lifeboat.

He said: “It’s been a lovely venture and it’s opened my eyes to an awful lot of issues we have around the coast.”

Matt has been travelling between 180 and 200 miles and visiting around five or six lifeboat stations through the course of each day.

He said: “There’s been a few scary moments on the road.

“Some of the country roads in Dorset are very narrow with high banks and hedges and this thing doesn’t have reverse gears.

“So when I’ve come across big tractors with trailers on the back, it’s pretty daunting when I realise I’m going to have to back pedal quite a long way. You have to have your wits about you.”

Matt is around 3,500 miles in to the 4,500-mile journey, which he has named Circa Nautica, and his next stops in Dorset include Swanage, Poole and Mudeford before he crosses over to visit lifeboat stations on the Isle of Wight.

The adventure is part of his ambitious three-year plan to raise £250,000 for the RNLI.

He said: “When I was growing up, as a lad, we always went to the coast at the weekend and, where we were, the lifeboat stations were smack bang on the seafront and I always remember that.

“I have a huge passion for travel. I’ve ventured around the coast a few times and I thought why not combine my love of travel with raising some money for the RNLI and all the work they do.”

He has also been keeping a photo collection of all the stations he has visited and is planning on setting up a website to share his adventure with everyone.

He said: “I am missing home a little bit now but there is still plenty of excitement to be had along the way.

“But getting home will be good.”

Matt was due to finish his journey yesterday.

If you would like to donate money to Circa Nautica, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/circanautica or text CIRCA to 70700.