Hectic collecting

More than £11,000 was raised in a hectic week by members of two fundraising branches in the South East that merged earlier this year. Working together, and with help of lifeboat station volunteers, Newhaven and Seaford held a flag week in Seaford, fundraised at the 60th successive annual fete in Newhaven and collected on Seaford beach during a demonstration by Newhaven lifeboat.

The Newhaven station was open to visitors during the week and more than 1,000 visitors poured in.

The wreck trek

Over 1,000 people set out on a mission to spot old stricken vessels off the Lancashire coast in June. And although they didn’t raise any wrecks, they did raise vital funds.

The guided 5 mile walk went from Lancashire’s Fleetwood lifeboat station across the Fylde Plain at low tide to visit the remnants of old wrecks, including a steamboat.

The wreck trek began in the 1980s and, for the last 5 years, has been organised by lifeboat crew members and their partners, led by Mechanic Steve Carroll and his wife Deb.
This year’s event (pictured) raised £1,000.

High and dry

A new adventurous fundraising activity has been leaving RNLI supporters feeling wired at Bangor, Northern Ireland. Quay Marinas at Bangor has hosted an annual joint charity event for the last 4 years to raise funds for the RNLI and CLIC Sargent.

In previous years, Dragon boat races were the main event until 2006 when the zipline was introduced, raising £6,000.

Zipline 2007 was supported by Charles Hurst Renault and attracted 100 zippers – the oldest 66, the youngest 16 – each plunging down a 50m drop over a 220m zipline. Crew Member Joanne Heasely, pictured, zipped down the line in true RNLI style.

Golden celebrations at Penarth

It was a day to remember for the four Penarth RNLI gift shop volunteers when Souvenir Secretary Anne Bromley heard that she had been awarded the RNLI Gold Badge.

The volunteers went on to enjoy a fabulous day at London's Barbican Centre for the RNLI's Annual Presentation of Awards, where Anne received her Gold Badge. Julie Sanby, RNLI Retail Adviser, said: ‘It is hard to believe, but the four Penarth shop volunteers between them have been volunteering for over 105 years with the RNLI.’

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in any one of the 23 RNLI shops around Wales or the Isle of Man, contact your local shop. ‘We are always on the look out for new volunteers, so that shops remain open on a regular basis and you would be welcomed with open arms,’ Julie added.