Ever wanted to witness first-hand the life-saving work of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews? Well now, for the first time at the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’, you can…
…It’s 6am, the pager sounds – you’re heading out on a ‘shout’. You rush to the lifeboat station, get your kit on, jump aboard the lifeboat and it’s launched down the slipway before accelerating out into the swollen seas to search for a stricken yacht…
For your chance to experience a rescue, as witnessed through the eyes of a volunteer lifeboat crew member from the bridge of a Tamar class all-weather lifeboat, visit the RNLI’s stand (A34) at the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’ at Earls Court in London (26 – 30 November 2008) and have a go on the Lifeboat Training Experience simulator.
Commenting on the RNLI’s presence at the show, Andy Whyte, National Campaigns & Events Manager for the RNLI, says:
‘In the run up to the RNLI’s national fundraising day – SOS Day – on Friday 30th January, I’d like to put out an SOS to all sail, power and watersports enthusiasts attending the show, on behalf of all the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards! We sincerely hope that visitors to the show will experience the lifeboat training simulator for themselves and that, as sea users, they’ll think about making a regular donation to the charity or get involved in raising money on SOS Day.’
‘More than half* of the 8,141 RNLI lifeboat launches last year were to recreational sea users in leisure craft. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of public donations to help keep our lifeboats afloat.’
The RNLI’s stand (A34) will also include lifejacket clinics with RNLI Sea Safety volunteers, a chance for a spot of Christmas shopping as RNLI Christmas cards, calendars and stocking fillers will be for sale; along with the chance for leisure sea users to make a regular donation to the charity by becoming a member of the RNLI.
Notes to Editors
· *4,287 of the 8,141 RNLI lifeboat launches in 2007 were to recreational sea users in leisure craft (2007)
· RNLI SOS Day: RNLI supporters throughout the UK will be holding SOS themed events culminating on SOS Day on 30th January 2009, with the aim of raising £1 million. From sponsored silences to sea shanty sing-alongs, anyone can get involved. More information on how to show your support is available at www.rnli.org.uk/sos
· Visit the ‘Sail, Power and Watersports Show’ at Earls Court, London (26-30 November 2008) www.earlscourt2008.com
RNLI media contacts
For more information and interview requests please contact Katie Wilton, RNLI Public Relations Officer on 01202 336789 / 07899 076 224 pressoffice@rnli.org.uk
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre 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.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.