Devon born folk artist Seth Lakeman presented the RNLI with £1,827.28 raised through ticket sales and collections at a one off album launch gig in Perranporth, Cornwall this summer, before taking to the stage in Falmouth as part of this largest ever UK tour in November. 

Seth, who recently launched SOS Day, the RNLI’s biggest fundraising day on 30 January 2009, extended his support by inviting local RNLI crew and volunteers to collect donations at his gigs in Bournemouth, Exeter, Cheltenham and Bristol and Falmouth. Through donations at all five gigs, Seth’s fans raised a further staggering £1,403.73 for the SOS campaign in the south west.

Seth was given a VIP tour of Falmouth’s RNLI lifeboat station and introduced to some of the volunteer crew before the cheque presentation at the gig venue, Falmouth Pavilions on Monday 17 November. After it’s launch at the one off gig at the Watering Hole on Perranporth beach this summer, his critically acclaimed third album Poor Man’s Heaven reached number 8 in the UK charts. 

Seth says;

‘I wanted to try to do something positive in launching the ‘Poor Man’s Heaven’ album, rather than just another gig - and raising money for the RNLI felt appropriate as the new album has such a strong coastal theme.’

One of the albums pivotal tracks Solomon Browne was released as a single on 13 October. The song commemorates the 1981 Penlee lifeboat disaster in which 16 people lost their lives. Seth helped unveil RNLI SOS Day 2009 with a performance of the song aboard an RNLI lifeboat on the River Thames, and urged supporters to get involved on Friday 30 January.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI Area Fundraising Manager for Cornwall says the charity is grateful for Seth’s loyal support, he says;
 
‘The RNLI relies on donations and fundraising events like SOS day to ensure its volunteer crews and lifeguards have the equipment and training needed to continue their lifesaving work. Seth is one of the south west’s most talented stars and we are proud, and extremely lucky to have his support. His beautifully poignant song ‘Solomon Browne’ brings home the courage and bravery of the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards, and I think the generosity shown by fans at his gigs illustrates it’s impact.’ 

RNLI SOS day 2009 is on Friday 30 January. RNLI supporters around the south west are encouraged to hold an SOS themed event of their choice to help raise vital funds for the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards.  What about hosting a karaoke night Sing Our Songs, or a dress down day at work or school Spots Or Stripes, or maybe something more energetic after the excesses of the festive season such as Sponsor Our Swim. Absolutely anything goes, and events can be held at any time in the run up to SOS day at the end of January.

For more information and ideas on how to get involved please visit www.rnli.org.uk/sos 

Notes to editors

• Please find attach two pictures:

1. Seth aboard Falmouth’s Atlantic class inshore lifeboat taken before his gig on Monday 17 November 2008, please credit RNLI/Tom Dymond

2.  Seth presenting RNLI Area Fundraising Manager Dave Nicoll with a   cheque for £1,500 before his gig at Falmouth Pavilions on Monday 17 November, please credit RNLI/Simon Culliford

• RNLI volunteers collected donations at 14 of the 25 gigs during Seth Lakeman’s largest ever UK tour, raising a total of £3239.02. A further £1500 was donated from ticket sales for Seth's album launch in Perranporth and £327.28 was collected on that night. Making a grand total of £5066.30 for SOS Day.
• The RNLI is a registered charity, which exists to save lives at sea. It relies on voluntary contributions and legacies to ensure its lifeguards and volunteer crews have the very best training and equipment.

RNLI contacts         
For further information please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Lifeguard Press Officer on 07920 818 807 or acaldwell@rnli.org.uk

The RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk or for the latest news www.rnli.org.uk/press.
                                                                                                                                              
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.