RNLI staff, crew and volunteers spent an exhausting weekend in Newcastle from 20-22 June, representing the RNLI at the 10th UK and Ireland Corporate GamesAgainst tough competition, the RNLI has been appointed the official charity of the UK and Ireland Corporate Games until 2005. This should prove to be an amazing fundraising and awareness opportunity over the next few years as the event is the largest of its kind in Europe. The colourful three-day competition boasts almost 6,000 participants and 21 different sports including; badminton, basketball, cricket eights, dragon boat racing, golf, hockey, fishing, karting, netball, soccer, rugby, tennis, running, triathlon, table tennis, squash, cycling and ten pin bowling.

RNLI events organisers, regional staff and volunteers worked closely with the event's organisers to arrange fundraising throughout the weekend and to raise the RNLI's profile. Team sizes ranged from five to 200 people from businesses such as Bupa, JPMorgan, Fujitsu, Asda andWaitrose as well as smaller local firms.

The RNLI entered its own team of staff, supporters and volunteers into the dragon boat event. This saw a team of 15 paddling up and down in a long, narrow boat that was decorated with a dragon's head and tail. Despite the lifeboat crews' reputation for speed and proficiency in the water, the team came last, but members thoroughly enjoyed themselves and got a lot of support.

Leslie Lister, from Tyne Tees Models, was a member of the dragon boating team and offered the help of her modelling agency when she heard about the event through her local RNLI office. There were hundreds of teams from companies all over the UK and many were in it to win it,1 said Leslie. 'We only did it for fun and to support the RNLt. We had so much fun taking part, we didn't really mind coming last.' One of the highlights of the Games was the Great Games parade, which gave all the competitors and companies a chance to march through the city with their corporate flags flying. RNLI lifeboats opened the proceedings and sailed under theGateshead Millennium Bridge that had 'blinked' open for the occasion. This was followed by a great parade, led by large numbers of RNLI staff and volunteers. As the bridge closed again, the parade was led across the top by a marching band. The band were closely followed by Stormy Stan, RNLI staff and supporters in the lifesized dummy D class boat, and staff and volunteers in lifeboat orange T-shirts waving flags. The lifeboat was called out on a shout straight after the parade, which really brought home the importance of the RNLI to alt those present.

After the parade the participants danced the night away at the Great Games party at St James's Park football ground, where fundraising activities included 'get your kit on1 competitions, with participants dressing in lifeboat crew gear against the clock.

Work has already started on next year's Games, which will take place in Newcastle for a second year running and the team are hoping to build on this year's successes to increase fundraising and involve more companies in supporting the RNLI.

This year's Games have really surpassed our expectations and we are hoping that even more competitors will support the RNLI at the Games in 2004,' said Catherine Kaye, Events Organiser forthe north east. 'We want companies from att over the country to sign up for the Games and fundraise for the RNLI beforehand, either as a team building activity or just for fun. This way, we hope that the Games can help raise a great deal of money for the RNLI, as well as raising our profile with some of the biggest companies in the country.' For more information about taking part in the UK and Ireland Corporate Games to support the RNLI, please contact Neil Hunter on 01738 643999,Squash victors Every year, global financial services firm JPMorgan sends around 150 staff to take part in the UK and Ireland Corporate Games. Employee Simon Parkes tells the Lifeboat about his team's experiences this year:We travelled to Newcastle on the day before the competition. The drive up seemed the longest six hours of our lives! We met RNLI staff at the registration area and found out more about the Games' official charity.

Our team members have played squash together, competitively and socially, for several years now. So we entered two teams of three in the squash competition and each player also took part in a separate singles event. The competition started at the highly unsociable hour of 8.00am. All but two competitors took part, but we dragged the remaining team members along to support us. By the afternoon each of us had played at least four singles matches and all of us qualified for the next round. Feeling tired, but proud of our achievements, we hit the town and indulged in a few beers down on the quayside.

The next morning saw us feeling slightly worse for wear but eager to start where we left off. We had two competitors taking part in the Men's Under 30s final, which proved to be gripping for those watching my colleague Daniel Chamberlain beat me to win the title.

Then it was a quick change and a dash down to the Millenium Bridge for the Great Games parade - it was an amazing spectacle.

After the ceremony, the only way to celebrate an all JPMorgan final was to head to the party at St James Park. It proved to be the best Corporate Games party yet - so much effort by the Games' company and the RNLI had obviously gone into the night. It was hugely entertaining, made all the better by the competitors' efforts to wear fancy dress and get into the spirit of things. The night finished with the squash team dancing in al! manner of different ways to a variety of music - providing entertainment to many bemused onlookers! Sunday saw my team members Karta Cooper and Paul Taylor take part in the Ladies Open and Men's Over 30s finals respectively.

Both won through epic finals to take the titles - with the smiles on their faces hiding their hangovers! JPMorgan emerged as overall squash champions with a massive 51 points, with Diamond Trading Company in 2nd place with 33 and PriceWatemouseCoopers in 3rd place with 20.

Following more evening celebrations, we began the long journey home the next morning. Overall, the weekend was one of the best UK and Ireland Corporate Games the squash team had ever been to - both for results and, more importantly, atmosphere. All six team members are already eagerly anticipating next year's Games and very much look forward to seeing the RNLI there again.' By Simon ParkesAnything Goes Theatre-loving RNLI members will be pleased to know that they can enjoy £10 off a pair of top price tickets for the hit musical Anything Goes in London's West End. Not only this but the show's production company are also kindly donating £5 to the RNLI for every pair of tickets sold to members.

Following rave reviews and a sell-out season at the national theatre, Anything Goes is now playing at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The award-winning production by Trevor Nunn is set in the decadent and glamorous surroundings of a luxury transatlantic cruise liner.

The show comes straight from the golden age of American musical comedy of the 1930s and includes 16 classic Cole Porter numbers including 'You're the top' and 'I get a kick out of you'.

Call 0207 494 5010 and quote 'RNLI' to reserve your tickets now. The offer is valid for performances Monday to Friday, from 20 October to 19 December {excluding 20-24 October) and is subject to availability.Working together The RNLI and Trinity House Lighthouse Service (THLS) have closely-linked histories and both charities strive to save lives and promote safety at sea.

The THLS is the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands - part of the Corporation Trinity House, set up by Royal Charter in 1514. Its main focus is the safety of all mariners through the operation of 72 lighthouses. These not only warn of potential danger, but help sailors to find their position too. In addition, the service operates two lightships and a range of launches, motorboats and a helicopter.

The service also runs a trust fund that contributes to selected sea safety projects.

In 1996 it donated £30,000 for the RNLI video Safety Guidelines for Recreational Boat Users, which provides useful safety information. In 1998 it also gave £15,000 to the RNLI towards the production of Digital Alert, which gives valuable guidelines on global maritime distress and safety systems. Since 1997, the THLS has also annually sponsored around six young lifeboat crew members to attend Sail Training Association (STA) training voyages.

The lucky few get a challenging and unique experience. They live and work with other young people from different backgrounds and become a vital part of the crew. All costs are paid directly from THLS to STA.

One good turn deserves another Some readers will remember that the automation of all working lighthouses was finally completed in 1999. It was a sad time for some as the former lighthouse keeper cottages became redundant. Many of these are listed buildings and, in order to preserve them, the THLS is working with Rural Retreats to generate income by letting the properties. Guests of the refurbished cottages can find out more about the work of THLS and Britain's maritime heritage during a guided tour on their holiday. If you would like to experience living like a lighthouse keeper, details are available at www.ruralretreats.co.uk.

As this issue was about to go to press we learned that the RNLI's Operations Director, Michael Vlasto, had been elected a Younger Brother of Trinity House.Calling all bookworms Buy your books via our website at www.lifeboats.org.uk and 5% of the value of all orders will be donated to the RNLI. We have set up a partnership in asssociation with Amazon, the international online book retailer, to help raise funds. So make Christmas shopping easy and help save lives by shopping at www.lifeboats.org.uk.Keep on trucking Some may think that a 10 tonne Mercedes Atego truck is an unusual present, but this is exactly what the Civil Service Motoring Association (csmal have just bought for the RNLI The csma, founded in 1923, is a members' run organisation dedicated to helping its 370,000 members enjoy life.

Members benefit from a range of motoring and other discounts and take part in fun activities through locally run groups. They have a long history of supporting the lifeboat service - since 1984 they have raised £435,000.

The csma is a very valuable friend and has donated a long list of gifts, ranging from inshore lifeboats to essential transport vehicles for delivering urgent lifeboat spares around the country. Most of the money is raised through competitions in the csma members' magazine Motoring £ Leisure. Prizes and administration are provided by Frizzell, which offers car insurance to csma members.

csma also owns Britannia Rescue, one of the country's top motoring rescue organisations. In 2001, the RNLI teamed up with Britannia Rescue, to offer car breakdown services to RNLI members and supporters. Both sides benefit from this relationship - supporters receive a discount on their road recovery policy and the RNLI receives a donation of 2.5% of the value of each new and existingpolicy taken out by a supporter.

For more details on the Britannia Rescue special 15% discount scheme for RNLI supporters, please call 0800 591563 or visit the website below.

www.britanniarescue.com/RNLIWinter Lottery Would you like to win a luxury break for two in Guernsey? Now is your chance. Kindly sponsored by Guernsey Tourist Board and One Step Holidays, this prize includes flights or ferry to Guernsey, seven nights full board in the luxurious Les Rocquettes hotel and car hire for the duration of your stay. (If you are a non-driver, a sightseeing tour of the island is offered as an alternative.) Summer lottery winner Exotic Hawaii for three weeks, is the fantastic destination for our Summer Lottery winner, Mrs Judge from Rugby.

The draw was hosted by Swanage lifeboat station (middle right). Stephanie Bishop of Page & Moy, donors of this amazing holiday break, drew the winning ticket. Patrick Cherry of Page & Moy said: 'We are delighted to support the RNLI once again. It is wonderful to know that the holiday prize we donated, worth over £2,000, has helped raise over £245,000.' The cash prize winners were: • £1,000 John McNamara, Birmingham • £500 D C and M Logan, Hertfordshire • £250 Mr W Jackson, Middlesex •£100 Mrs J Eldred, Kent; E Letzer, Norfolk; Miss D Davison.Tyne and Wear; Mr LB Miller, Hampshire; Mr and MrsT Heryet, Sussex Spring Lottery winner John Read, winner of the Spring Lottery, is ecstatic with his brand new Suzuki Hatchback. John Eccles, from Britannia Rescue (the RNLI's official motoring rescue scheme), who kindly donated the prize, had the pleasure of handing over the keys (bottom right).

John said: 'I was really surprised and pleased to win -1 thought someone was playing a joke on me when I got the call!' Winter lottery tickets are now available so, if you haven't received yours, please contact Pauline on 01202 663219 or email: [email protected] ridersMotorbikers Dave Hawkins and Neil Stevens visited over 170 lifeboat stations around the coast of England, Scotland and Wales, to raise funds for the RNLI. They travelled over 4,333 miles in 14 days - starting on Saturday 14 June from Calshot lifeboat station in Hampshire and finishing at Portsmouth lifeboat station.

Dave, a bus driver from Norwich, said: 'It was fantastic. I wish I'd done it years ago1, while Neil asked: 'Can we do a lap of honour?1 Photographic evidence of every station visited appears on their website www.epicduo.org.uk. And please remember, it's not too late to send in sponsorship money, so don't delay, send that cheque today! Tizzy Perkins, Corporate Fundraising Officer, said: 'We are delighted that Dave and Neil completed their epic journey and would like to thank them for all their hard work and the money they have raised for the life saving work of the RNLI'.Return the favour A painting of the Regina Mary lifeboat at Looe, donated by kind-hearted artist Merv Beaver, has raised over £500 for the RNLI.

The oil painting was raffled at the end of June during Looe lifeboat station's Seafront day.

The winners, Clynis and James Thompson from Menheniot, returned the goodwill by donating the painting to the lifeboat station.Very heavy metal Roger Nunn of Harwich raised over £850 for his local lifeboat station after he took to the streets in a heavy 1950s style Russian diving suit.

Normally, when you walk, you don't even think about it but, for Roger, every step of the one mile walk required painstaking concentration and effort. Apart from wearing a 150lb diving suit brought back from stricken nuclear submarine the Kursk, he also had a number of cuts and bruises and has still got the scabs to prove it.

Roger said: 'It was hellishly heavy, hot, sweaty, and I couldn't breathe, but I did it. I had to stop every now and then for about thirty seconds so that I could catch my breath.

'At any time we could need the help of the RNLI. I thought it would be a great way to give something back for a change. After all, they are completely reliant on public generosity.' He was supported by the Girdlestone family from Brightlingsea, who donated the diving suit. They were there on the day to keep his spirits up.

Mark Girdlestone, who found the suit while diving on a salvage mission in Russia in 2001, also acted as Roger's unofficial trainer and manager. The punishing regime involved training sessions with weights fastened to his legs. Roger also completed three sets of 20 squats a day with 56lbs of sand attached to the waist of his trousers. He also tried to swim in the sea every day to build his strength up.Collections on a grand scale A one-third scale model of The Lincolnshire Poacher has helped raise over £300,000 in collections for the RNLI.

The model Mersey class lifeboat is accurate in every detail and all the navigation lights and radar work from a 12v car battery. It even features photographs of the crew in the windows.

Steve Andrews and the team at the Skegness Mildreds shopping centre all helped to build the boat that has been raising awareness all over the country.

Whether you're planning to run a marathon, cycle round the UK or jump out of an aeroplane, Gift Aid can help you increase the amount of your hardearned sponsorship by 28%.

Gift Aid allows the RNLI claim the basic rate of income tax on every donation you are given by UK taxpayers. For example, if someone sponsors you for £10 and they Gift Aid the donation, the RNLI will actually get £12.80. If you've set a target of raising £1,000 through sponsorship, using Gift Aid could mean the lifeboats get £1,280, without you having to raise a penny extra.

Look out for the Gift Aid logo and a box for donors to tick on your sponsorship form. To be able to claim Gift Aid, the RNLI needs the name, address and postcode of your donors, so it is important you get them to complete those details on the form.

To find out more visit www.givingcampaign.org.uk or contact The Giving Campaign on 020 79303154.Gala concert The RNU West Country Group put on a highly successful Gala Band Concert in July to celebrate Plymouth lifeboat bicentenary.

The concert, featuring the Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth and other guest artists, not only created some excellent publicity for the station's bicentenary but made a handsome profit too. The house was nearly full to capacity, thanks to superb organisation, support and publicity in the local media, and a great evening of music was enjoyed by all.

The West Country Group became the RNLI's Music Division in 1997 following its success in arranging, producing and marketing musical recordings.

The group has sold over 250,000 copies of its recordings, creating over £125,000 profit for the RNLI.

You can't miss us The RNLI enjoyed a high profile at the International Festival of the Sea at Leith in May. With a large stand, surfing simulator and new Fishing Safety roadshow it would have been very difficult for most of the 60,000 visitors to have missed us.

Buckie's new Severn class William Blannin was popular, with a constant queue of visitors waiting to have a look and listen to the crew stories. Even HRHThe Princess Royal stopped to chat with Jake Murray and his crew on her Friday afternoon 'walkabout'. Shanty singers also made daily visits to the lifeboat to busk in aid of the RNU.

The RNLI raised £4,518 from sales, prize draw and donations during the four-day event - 71 new Offshore members were also recruited.

A History of Plymouth Lifeboats - Two Centuries of Courage By Alan Salsbury Price: £19.95 From the launch of the station's first lifeboat in 1862, to the history of the boats, crews and rescues, this book has everything you ever wanted to know about Plymouth lifeboats.

Copies are available from local stockists or from Halsgrove Direct on 01884 243242.

Photo: Chronicle Newspapers. Flintshire' Trevor Rod en Enthusiastic golfers in Wales raised £2,500 towards an inshore lifeboat at Flint.

Heavy showers were not enough to dampen the spirits of the 20 teams competing at Northop country park. The whole event, organised by Mold branch, was such a success that they're hoping to do another next year.

igh riser A determined Kathleen Miller (below) raised £1,300 for Middleton branch when she climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in February. After a briefing and a practice ladder climb, Kathleen embarked on the two hour climb and found it exhilarating. Thanks to all who sponsored her..