Your guide to what's been going on in the world of the RNLI

Stepping up the safety message

The RNLI’s thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones to the sea in 2016. A summer of hot weather brought people flocking to the seaside. And, on the weekend of 20–21 August, our coastlines were pounded by waves bigger and more powerful than usual for the time of year.

Seven people died in tragic coastal incidents that weekend – some were swimming, some didn’t intend to enter the water at all. A week later, five more lives were sadly lost at Camber Sands, East Sussex. It was reported that a group of friends were caught out by the tide. In response, the RNLI provided a temporary RNLI lifeguard service that worked alongside the existing local authority personnel.
The RNLI’s Respect the Water campaign had already been seen and heard by millions of people during the summer. And following the sad spate of deaths, our safety warnings were stepped up even more. Free advertising in newspapers and public spaces was kindly offered, helping us reach even more people with safety advice. Our face-to-face fundraisers on the coast changed their focus so that their only mission was to raise awareness of what the water is capable of. ‘I speak on behalf of many RNLI people by saying I was very moved by these tragic events, particularly as the incidents were without question preventable,’ says Ross MacLeod, Coastal Safety Manager. ‘It is a tragic reminder why we should all respect the water as, no matter how amazing our lifeguards and volunteer crew are, the sea is always unpredictable and they cannot save everybody.’

In September, RNLI flags were flown at half mast in tribute to a fellow lifesaver: Coast Guard volunteer Catríona Lucas. Catríona died after a Coast Guard rescue boat capsized during a search operation for a missing person off Co Clare. The mother-of-two was the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to die during a rescue.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TICK

As of 1 January, we became a fully opted-in organisation. That means that we only contact people by post, email or telephone if they have given us permission to do so. Over 400,000 people have given us the tick that allows us to stay in touch – and that communication is vital if we’re going to give our lifesavers everything they need to continue saving lives.
‘We’re proud to be the first charity to move to an opt-in approach, but we couldn’t have done it without your support,’ says Leesa Harwood, RNLI Fundraising Director. 'So I’d like to say thank you to everyone who’s told us they want to stay in touch – you’re helping secure the future of our lifesaving work.’ If you know someone who supports the RNLI who has not opted in to stay in touch with us, please ask them to visit RNLI.org/saveslives. In just a tick, they’ll help to make a lifesaving difference, just as you do.

RUNNING TO THE RESCUE

RNLI runners are looking back on months of worthwhile training and fundraising – they raised over £40,000 by completing the 2016 Great North Run. Supporters and crew members rubbed shoulders (and aching legs) as they tackled the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields in October. Among the supporters who laced up for our lifesavers was Lou Mitchell (pictured), who said: ‘It still hasn’t sunk in that I have run 13.1 miles – to think on 31 December 2015 I couldn’t even run a mile! I am really proud of myself for finishing it and for raising money for the RNLI.’ Crew members also swapped their yellow wellies for trainers, including volunteers from Hunstanton, Morecambe and Penarth. Blyth Crew Member Rob Brister’s running gear for the day was
more familiar, though – he ran the half-marathon dressed as RNLI mascot Stormy Stan! ‘As a volunteer myself, I really do appreciate the support the charity receives,’ says Rob. ‘It ensures we have effective kit and training to continue to operate a 24-hour search and rescue service.’ Perhaps the most experienced runner to raise funds for the RNLI on the day was Alan Norman. He completed his fifth Great North Run at the age of 79. As the Lifeboat magazine went to press runners were also preparing to take part in our festive Reindeer Runs in Cork, Dublin and Dorset.

The Lifeboat Lottery is back for 2017 – thanks for your patience while we paused it last year. This was to make sure we confirmed how all our supporters wanted to stay in touch (see left). Now this is complete, our lottery is back on! From 20 January, you can take part in our spring 2017 draw. You could win a first prize of £5,000, a second prize of £2,000, or seven other cash prizes. To take part, contact our Supporter Care Team on 0300 300 9990 or email [email protected].

High fives for Stormy
Young RNLI fans got a chance to meet their heroes when they headed to Storm Force Open Days in 2016. Among the lifeboat crews welcoming kids to their stations were volunteers on the Isle of Wight, who hosted a fun-filled event at Cowes Lifeboat Station in October. The excited visitors – all members of the Storm Force RNLI club for under-11s – learned all about the RNLI’s lifesaving work and met the station’s volunteers. They also took part in seven different activities, including using a VHF radio, performing CPR training on dummies and learning how to stay safe in and around the water. Plus they got to climb aboard the station’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat Sheena Louise – and meet Stormy Stan (above). Lifeboat Visits Officer Penny Maclean said: ‘I hope we have encouraged these families to continue to support the RNLI – and perhaps the young people themselves to become volunteers one day.’ There will be plenty of open days around the UK and Ireland for our Storm Force members this year. So, if your kids would love to see a lifeboat and meet some crew, sign them up at RNLI.org/StormForce.