Event: RNLI HQ Open Days

Venue: RNLI headquarters, West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HZ

Date/time: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2009 10am – 6pm

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity is preparing once more to welcome members of the public to its headquarters in Poole for Open Days on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2009.

The RNLI holds Open Days at its headquarters just once every two years, so is encouraging members of the public to call in and make the most of the opportunity to find out more about the charity.

The lifesaving work of its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards will be showcased, along with fascinating insights ‘behind the scenes’ of the RNLI. The doors will be open from 10am until 6pm on both days. The entry fee is £2 and under-fives go free.

A new feature at the 2009 Open Days will be the first official RNLI memorial, which has a Ceremony of Dedication on Thursday 3 September 2009. The memorial pays tribute to the many lifesavers and fundraisers who have served the charity over the past 185 years, especially those who have died while saving lives at sea.

A range of attractions will be on show over the weekend, including: 

• Sea survival and rescue demonstrations 
• Lifeboat demonstrations 
• Lifeboat tours 
• Lifeguard displays 
• The new official RNLI memorial sculpture 
• Opportunities to meet crew and lifeguards 
• Plenty of great activities for children to take part in

Linda Vatcher, RNLI National Exhibitions and Events Manager, says:

‘The RNLI Headquarters Open Days are a great opportunity for people to find out all about the RNLI – what it does, how it does it, and how it uses the generous public donations it receives.

‘We held Open Days in 2005 and 2007, which proved extremely popular – in 2007, we welcomed more than 12,000 visitors – so we really hope to see a great turn-out again this year. The days are very interesting and informative for anyone who wants to find out more about the charity, but they are also great fun family days out. This year, the Open Days are taking place just after the unveiling of the first official RNLI memorial, so we hope that will be of interest to our visitors.

‘There will be plenty to see and do over the weekend, covering all aspects of the charity, so there should be something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming people on 5 and 6 September.’

Notes to editors 

• Members of the media are invited to attend the RNLI’s Open Days at RNLI HQ in Poole on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2009. To confirm your attendance, please contact Laura Fennimore, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 663181 / 07776 244637 or email lfennimore@rnli.org.uk. 
• Two photos are attached: 1. Crowds at the RNLI HQ Open Days 2007. Credit Nathan Williams; 2. An RNLI inshore lifeboat demonstration. Credit Paul Freeman. 
• Filming and photography opportunities are available over the weekend. 
• RNLI spokespeople are available for interview. 
• The first official RNLI memorial has a Ceremony of Dedication on 3 September 2009 at 12 noon. The memorial pays tribute to the many lifesavers and fundraisers who have served the charity over the past 185 years – especially those who have died while saving lives at sea.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Laura Fennimore, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 663181 or lfennimore@rnli.org.uk. Alternatively, contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk.