Lake District

LAKE DISTRICT BRANCH CELEBRATES 125 YEARS

The Lake District Fundraising Branch celebrated its 125th anniversary earlier this year, with a special luncheon held on the shore of Lake Windermere. Eighty guests attended the event at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club, including members from Workington and Arnside branches, who came along to share in the celebrations. Rear Admiral Tim Chittenden gave a speech, and a commemorative plaque and framed certificate of thanks from RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier was presented to Chair Alan Telford. The luncheon proved a fundraising success for the branch too – raising a tremendous £700.

New Brighton

Fundraising bikers

Six New Brighton crew members took to the tarmac this March, joining thousands of bikers riding through Wirral towns and villages to raise funds for local charities Claire House Children’s Hospice, North West Air Ambulance, and Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes. Hundreds of people lined the 20-mile route from New Brighton to Clatterbridge to cheer them on. New Brighton volunteer Jay Hennessy says: ‘I’m so proud of how our station gets involved with other local charities. It’s tremendous that the
volunteers not only give a lot of time to the station with shouts and training but that they also do so much for community causes throughout the year.’

Merseyside

MERSEYSIDE TO MOELFRE

This Easter, Karl Grice demonstrated his thanks to the volunteers who saved him during a jet skiing accident last summer, by cycling from his home in Merseyside to the lifeboat station in Moelfre, on Anglesey. Karl made the 84-mile trip accompanied by 15 other cyclists. This fantastic journey follows additional events in aid of the RNLI – with a fundraising total now approaching £7,000. He says: ‘I would not be here today if it was not for the brave men and women of the RNLI.’

Bridlington

Brand new Shannon named

This April, crowds gathered on Bridlington’s Spa Promenade to see a new Shannon class all-weather
lifeboat officially named, in a ceremony conducted by Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and Reverend Matthew Pollard. The Antony Patrick Jones is named after a local man who left a generous gift to the RNLI in his Will, which was the main source of funding for the new lifeboat. Lifeboat Operations Manager Keith Turnbull says: ‘The naming ceremony was a very special day in our station's history and will mark a new chapter in the station's lifesaving.’

Blackpool

BLACKPOOL STUDENTS DISCOVER LIFEBOATING

Students from Hopwood Hall College had their first taste of RNLI lifesaving when they visited Blackpool Lifeboat Station. The visitors – who are on a 2-year Uniformed Public Services (UPS) diploma course – learned about the equipment and skills used to save lives at sea, had a tour of the station, and even watched the lifeboat launch on exercise. Level 3 UPS student Annalise Steward says: ‘They definitely made me realise that – although we have statutory services like the military, HM Coastguard and fire services – we still rely heavily on the goodwill and hard work of volunteers to help keep us all safe.’

What's On

Summer is the season for lifeboat open days so be sure to check with your nearest station to find out when theirs is.
RNLI GARDEN EVENT
22 July, 1–5pm
Heywood House, Brookhouse, Lancaster
Enjoy an afternoon in a beautiful garden. Take a ride on a steam garden railway, browse the stalls,
pick up some souvenirs and play the raffle. £4 at the gate, entry includes a cream tea.
SALFORD SMILE
5 August, 8.30am–3.30pm
Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, Salford Quays
An unmissable 1-mile fun swim in the heart of Salford Quays in aid of the RNLI, with a 50m Kids
Dash for under-14s. There will be RNLI stands, food, drink, a bouncy castle and lots more.
Entry £25 for adults, £3 for juniors,
from eventbrite.com/e/salford-smiletickets- 45553081493.
KITE FESTIVAL AND OPEN DAY
2 September
Lytham St Annes all-weather lifeboathouse,
St Annes promenade
In conjunction with St Annes International Kite Festival, Lytham St Annes’s annual open day will
be a day of fun for the whole family. Send details of your events for the autumn issue (mid-October onwards) to
[email protected].