Page Content: Whilst at school Gary completed the community service section of the Duke of Edinburgh award at the station.  After successfully completing his bronze award Gary became a crew member and was with the station for a number of years until his college studies took him away to London.

Interviewing Gary for BBC2 was Connie Fisher who starred as Maria in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music.

The programme Canwr y Byd will be shown on S4C on Saturday 15 June 2013 at 7:30 pm and the BBC2 programme will on Wednesday 19 June after competition. 
Whilst at school Gary completed the community service section of the Duke of Edinburgh award at the station.  After successfully completing his bronze award Gary became a crew member and was with the station for a number of years until his college studies took him away to London.

Interviewing Gary for BBC2 was Connie Fisher who starred as Maria in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production of The Sound of Music.

The programme Canwr y Byd will be shown on S4C on Saturday 15 June 2013 at 7:30 pm and the BBC2 programme will on Wednesday 19 June after the competition at 10 pm. 

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Event:  Porthdinllaen RNLI £100K Fundraising Appeal Launch Event

Venue: Porthdinllaen Bay, outside the Ty Coch.

Date/time: Friday 7 June 2013   7pm

To launch the £100K fundraising drive, S4C sports and events presenter Morgan Jones will join RNLI volunteers in announcing a community challenge.

Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat crew and fundraisers have been tasked to raise £100K by the charity to help fund the station’s new boathouse, which will house their new Tamar class lifeboat the John D.Spicer.  The station’s new boathouse is quickly taking shape, with contractors already five months into the build.  The set target will fund the station’s mechanic workshop as well as some of the standard building costs for the station.

S4C presenter Morgan Jones explains why he is supporting the appeal:

‘The RNLI crew are risking their lives to save others in trouble at sea, and as a boat owner myself, it was an honour to be asked to help launch Friday’s £100K appeal.  Many of us enjoy sea activities, be it fishing or kayaking, sailing or water-skiing.  But an enjoyable day on the water can turn into an emergency in a second, and that’s where these heroes play their invaluable role.’

Michael Davies, Coxswain of Porthdinllaen’s new Tamar class RNLI lifeboat says:

‘Like all lifeboat stations across the coast, Porthdinllaen RNLI gets tremendous support from the local community.  There have been big changes at the station over the past 10 months; we’ve said goodbye to our previous lifeboat the Hetty Rampton which looked after us and kept the crew safe for 25 years, and welcomed the new Tamar class lifeboat to the bay last August.  To house the new all-weather lifeboat we’re asking the community to please show their support once again and help us, the RNLI lifeboat crew and fundraisers, to reach our target and help provide the all-weather lifeboat with her new home.’

The first fundraising challenge has already been set, as Morgan leads 30 novice cyclists from St Davids, Pembrokeshire back home to Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station over a three day period in July.  RNLI lifeboat crew, BAM Nuttall workers, who are building the new boathouse, and other RNLI supporters are already in training for the 150 mile cycling challenge along the Welsh coast.

Porthdinllaen RNLI lifeboat crew responded to 11 incidents in 2012, rescuing 21 people.  As a result of both training exercises and services, the volunteers spent a total of 302.55 hours out at sea last year.

For information on how to support or to donate towards the Porthdinllaen RNLI £100K fundraising appeal contact either Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Station or Deborah Ferns, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager on 01745 585162 or email Deborah_Ferns@rnli.org.uk.  You can also donate £5 towards the appeal by texting RNLI CYMRU to 70300.

END

Notes to editor
• Interviews and photo opportunity with Morgan Jones and the RNLI lifeboat crew can be arranged by contact Eleri Roberts on the number below.
• Attached is a photo of Porthdinllaen’s Tamar class lifeboat.
• Credit: Nicholas Leach.
• Photos of the launch will be available by contacting Eleri Roberts on the number below.

RNLI media contact
For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Press Officer on 01745 585162 – 07771 941390 or email Eleri_Roberts@rnli.org.uk.  

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They were joined by EastEnders star Steve McFadden who plays the role of Phil Mitchell and is a keen supporter of the charity. The fastest swimmer was Haddon Page from Redruth who completed the mile long swim in 22 minutes and 9 seconds, just 42 seconds short of the course record.

It took an army of 50 volunteers to run the event which raises around £30,000 a year for the RNLI.  In sunshine and calm but cold water, the swimmers set off from Pendennis Headland on the Falmouth side, heading for a small beach on the St Mawes side of the river. Fastest woman home was Emily Theobald who also took the under 18 title with a time of 24 minutes and 55 seconds. Emily, who is from Falmouth, was swimming in the event for the first time and is a member of the Portreath Surf Lifesaving Club.

TV star Steve McFadden who has taken part in the swim twice before, clocked up a time of 37 minutes and 36 seconds and said he’d enjoyed the swim, especially as this year he shaved 10 minutes off his time. 

The last person to finish the sea swim was Peter ‘Bunny’ Bartell from St Agnes who is in his late sixties. He was greeted by the loudest cheers of the day from the crowd watching the swim when he stepped ashore after one hour, 15 minutes and 11 seconds. Peter said he had found the water very cold but that the RNLI lifeguards had been extremely supportive during the swim.

Guy Botterill, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, was the event organiser and says the biggest thank you must go to the volunteers who ensured the event was a success:

‘It takes more than 50 volunteers to run the swim, from the RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat crews who play a major safety role on the water, to harbour teams from Falmouth and St Mawes, kayakers from as far away as St Austell and including Mark Bower who runs a kayaking business in St Mawes and members of Surf Lifesaving Clubs in Portreath, Perranporth and Hayle.  There were also members of Falmouth Diving Club, RNLI fundraisers, Tim Goldburn and the list goes on. I can’t thank them enough for their support and hard work, especially as for some of them the day began at 5am this morning.  It’s hard work but worth it because of the money the swim raises for the RNLI to support the charity’s work saving lives at sea.’

The swim was officially started this year by Matt Vernon who is a Mussel Diver who tried valiantly to save a woman from her car earlier this year when it rolled in to the River Fal where the King Harry Car Ferry crosses.  He was praised for his bravery after diving more than a dozen times to try and help Ann Pewter who was trapped inside the vehicle. 

All the swimmers finishing the event were presented with a special commemorative
t-shirt and a bottle of water, and prizes, sponsored by Steve Coram of Cycle Logic in Helston, were given to the winners.

For the full results list please follow this link: http://racetimingsolutions.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=131

RNLI notes to editors

• The attached pictures include:
*The first swimmer home Haddon Page – Credit Simon Culliford
*The first woman to finish and also the first under 18, Emily Theobald – Credit Simon Culliford
*EastEnders actor Steve McFadden, a keen supporter of the RNLI – Credit Simon Culliford
*The last swimmer to finish the course, Peter ‘Bunny’ Bartell – Credit Simon Culliford
*The view at the start of the swim across the River Fal – credit Tim Stevens
*Matt Vernon who started the 2013 Castle to Castle Swim – credit Tim Stevens

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager for the south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer, on 07920 818807 or email Amy_Caldwell@rnli.org.uk

Page Content: HM The Queen will be accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and together the royal couple are visiting to meet the local RNLI team who uphold the charity’s tradition of saving lives at sea. The occasion coincides with the start of an appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle for the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that it’s hoped will arrive in the town in late 2014.

The royal visit will start at 10.40am when Her Majesty The Queen will arrive at St Ives RNLI to meet the volunteer team who run the lifeboat station and their families. First the royal couple will view the current lifeboats, the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal and the D class inshore lifeboat Colin Bramley Parker before heading inside the building for a private visit. The royal party will then meet the volunteers who run the charity’s shop before unveiling a plaque.
 
Derek Hall, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager at St Ives, says the team are delighted to be welcoming the royal couple:

‘We’re extremely honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to our lifeboat station, especially as she is the RNLI’s Patron, and to be able to introduce her to the many volunteers who maintain the charity’s lifesaving tradition around the coast of St Ives.  It’s a truly wonderful way of thanking the families of our volunteers too for their support and commitment.

‘Here at St Ives we are also launching a special appeal ahead of the arrival in late 2014 of a new 25-knot Shannon class all-weather lifeboat for St Ives to replace our current Mersey class lifeboat. We need to raise funds towards the £1million needed to fund the new lifeboat’s purpose built launch and recovery vehicle and this project begins in earnest right now as we head in to the 2013 summer season at St Ives.’

Paul Whiston is the volunteer RNLI Coxswain at St Ives:

‘To me it’s very fitting that our present Mersey class all-weather lifeboat is The Princess Royal and we will be presenting Her Majesty The Queen with a framed picture of the lifeboat in action at sea. This lifeboat has already given us 22 years of service and we are very proud of her.   However, the new Shannon class will offer improved speed and manoeuvrability thanks to updated design techniques and water jet propulsion. We just need to help raise the funds needed now for the launch and recovery vehicle.’

The St Ives RNLI volunteer crew, having received a quote for professional cleaning of the boathouse floors in preparation for the Royal visit, decided to carry out the task themselves on Saturday morning. This effectively saved the charity a four figure sum. Their efforts were supported very generously by local firm Travis Perkins who provided a hot pressure washer at a very reasonable rate. Crew volunteer George Deacon works for the company who have an outlet in St Ives.

RNLI notes to editors
• Attached is a shot of the launch and recovery system that will be used for the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat pictured during trials at Hayle in Cornwall.  Please credit RNLI/Simon Culliford.
• And a picture of the St Ives volunteers cleaning the boathouse in preparation for the Royal visit credit RNLI/St Ives
• Also attached is a media fact sheet about the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat that will eventually replace the present Mersey class lifeboat. Pictures of the Shannon are available from Tamsin – see contact details below.
• Further details about the St Ives RNLI appeal to raise funds towards the £1million cost of the launch and recovery vehicle can be obtained Guy Botterill, Community Fundraising Manager, on 07774 436265 or guy_botterill@rnli.org.uk   
• Last year the volunteer lifeboat crews at St Ives launched to emergencies 32 times, rescuing 32 people and spending 288 hours at sea.
• The St Ives RNLI Mersey class all-weather lifeboat The Princess Royal has been based in the harbour since 1990. In this time she has launched to 262 emergencies, and her volunteer crew have saved 17 lives and rescued 196 people. 

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager south west, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Press Officer on 07920 818807 or amy_caldwell@rnli.org.uk  

Page Content: The President was accompanied by his wife Sabina and the couple spent some time viewing the historical exhibition in the lifeboat station before unveiling a plaque on the lifeboat station’s wall to commemorate the visit.  The President and Mrs Higgins then walked through the village where the President addressed the crowds that had gathered in the sunshine on the main street.

President Higgins and Mrs Higgins first stop on arriving in the village was the stone lifeboat station in the middle of the main street which overlooks the harbour and the lifeboat. There he was greeted by Michele O ’Dwyer, Chairperson of the Courtmacsherry fundraising Branch, Barry Flynn, lifeboat station co-ordinator, Coxswain Sean O’Farrell, Lifeboat Mechanic Stuart Russell and Deputy Launching Authority Diarmuid Mahony.  They met with the Courtmacsherry RNLI volunteers, station management and former Coxswain and bronze medal awardee Dan O ‘Dwyer before viewing the lifeboat exhibition in the station and signing the visitor’s book.
 
The Presidential couple viewed documents and photographs from the sinking of the Lusitania when the Courtmacsherry lifeboat launched with the crew rowing for over three hours in a desperate bid to reach survivors from the torpedoed vessel off the Old Head of Kinsale, Co Cork. They also learned of the lifeboats role in the search and rescue operation following the Fastnet Race tragedy of 1979 where fifteen sailors lost their lives. The Courtmacsherry lifeboat was among of group of RNLI lifeboats which spent 75 hours at sea in 60 knot winds.

Welcoming the President to Courtmacsherry, Courtmachserry RNLI Fundraising Chairperson Michele O’Dwyer said, “We could not have a more distinguished guest.  This is a historic day for our village.  Courmachserry lifeboat station has a long and distinguished history, being one of the first established stations in 1825.  It is my privilege on behalf of Courtmacsherry lifeboat station and the surrounding area of Barryroe to formally welcome the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina to Courtmacsherry.

The President then spoke to the crowds gathered in the sunshine and paid tribute to the lifeboat volunteers and the community, “The Courtmacsherry lifeboat service has a long and proud history that stretches back almost two hundred years. There is something extraordinary about both the great promise and the great threat of the sea but even more so by the lives of those who have to deal with it and those in particular who have to use their skill and patience and every characteristic of the human spirit to actually address the position of those who are in difficulties.

Courtmacsherry has had a relationship with the sea that has always called forth the greatest examples of heroism and courage but also practicality and preparation to be able to be of assistance. To be of assistance you have to have so many different characteristics.

I think that today in Ireland we must always look and take example and strength from those who give us the greatest examples.  I think it is uplifting that in this place that demonstrates so strongly what community means, a lifeboat is here and the community stands behind that lifeboat.”

The Courtmacsherry exhibition had a strong emphasis on the lifeboat and its crew with most families in the village having had loved ones serving as volunteer lifeboat crew since 1825. To mark the occasion of the visit of the President and Mrs Higgins, two presentations were made.  The first was a piece of sculpture which was presented to President Higgins by volunteer lifeboat crewmember Gearóid O’Donovan, whose grandfather Jack was also a lifeboat volunteer. The piece was called ´circle of friends` and was made by local woman Gillian Noonan.  It was to represent the gathering of people in Courtmacsherry for this special occasion and was presented on a wooden plinth turned from local wood by Barry Flynn.  Courtmacsherry RNLI fundraiser Martha Drake also presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Higgins.

Hundreds of people lined the street in the good weather and the President and Mrs Higgins stayed behind to meet with many of the well-wishers. 

Ends

Note for editors:
Photos are available please credit Provision/Mike MacSweeney
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
For press queries regarding President Higgins please contact Áras an Uachtaráin Press Office Tel: 01-617 1000

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Well known actors Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle took time out of a busy filming schedule yesterday (Wednesday 2 December 2009) to drop in and say hello to Wicklow RNLI lifeboat volunteers and to get a tour of the lifeboat station.

The two stars are in Wicklow filming scenes at the East pier beside the lifeboat station for a new movie called The Guard. Irish actor Brendan Glesson also starred in the drama 'The Lifeboat' in the early 1980s, filmed at St Davids in Wales and US actor Don Cheadle is well known from many films including Hotel Rwanda and Oceans 11.

Tommy Dover Wicklow volunteer lifeboat press officer said:

'The two actors were filming beside the lifeboat station and we invited them in to look around. They were very friendly and happily posed for photos with the lifeboat crew. We took great pride in showing them the lifeboat station and our two lifeboats.

Wednesday night is the onshore training night for the lifeboat crew so many of the stations volunteers were present for the surprise visit. The two actors also signed the station visit book.'

RNLI media contacts

For information please contact Wicklow Volunteer lifeboat Press Office Tommy Dover 0872509407 or RNLI Media Relations Manager Niamh Stephenson on 087 1254 124 email nstephenson@rnli.org.uk

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Now in its second year and running nationwide, from tomorrow, Wednesday, 1 May to Bank Holiday Monday, 6 of May, the RNLI is asking the public to 'give it some welly´ and help the charity in their work. 

The Mayday appeal is calling on people to lend their support by either purchasing a special RNLI Mayday yellow welly key ring which will be on sale for €2 at various outlets across the country during the campaign or by organising their own welly themed fundraising event.

The yellow welly is a well known and essential piece of the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew member’s kit. Waterproof with steel-capped toes, the specially designed boots keep the volunteer crew’s feet warm and dry while also protecting them in dangerous conditions on deck. During gale force winds, rain and ice, keeping a sure footing can mean the difference between life and death for volunteers. Recognising the importance of this piece of kit the charity has made the crewmembers welly a key part of the MAYDAY campaign.

Lending his support to this year's campaign is former Irish rugby star Shane Byrne from Aughrim in Wicklow. A long standing supporter of the RNLI, Shane visited the station last week to give it some welly: 'I am delighted to show my support for the RNLI and its volunteer lifeboat crews who do such great work in saving lives at sea not just here in Wicklow but across Ireland' he said. 'I wish the charity the best of luck with the campaign and hope people can dig deep to spare €2 to get their hands on a yellow welly key ring this Mayday'. 

There are plenty of activities happening in Arklow for Mayday. On Wednesday 1 May, the Mayday yellow welly key ring will be on sale at Review Arklow Mayday bonfire night.

Local lady Mary Whelan will have her Old Arklow Harbour Photo exhibition from 1-6 at Bridgewater Shopping  Centre where Mayday wellies will be on sale. Lynskeys Pub is holding a fun Casino Night on Thursday 2 May at 8pm with all proceeds to Arklow RNLI. Meanwhile, several schools and community groups are Giving it Some Welly and running their own events with Welly Toss competitions, wear yellow themed events, welly walks and much more.

Arklow Lifeboat station and shop are open for the weekend, so people are welcome to drop down, visit the station and Give it Some Welly like Shane Byrne.

Ends

Page Content:

Launching from the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat station, situated next to Waterloo Bridge, Dave was able to get first-hand insight of the work of the charity’s lifeboat crews who have provided a search and rescue service on the River Thames since 2002.

Four RNLI lifeboat stations are located strategically along the tidal reaches of the Thames and in 2012 their crews launched a total of 884 times.

As a charity, the RNLI is reliant on voluntary donations to enable its crews to continue their lifesaving work in London, and around the coast of the UK and Republic of Ireland, which is why London Lifeboat Day is a key date in the RNLI calendar.

Lifeboat crews and volunteer fundraisers, from London and beyond, have the opportunity on Tuesday 30 April to collect across the capital from early morning to late evening. Stationed at major train stations and busy London streets, the RNLI is aiming to raise £100k from collections this year.

Dave Berry says: 

‘The RNLI crews do an amazing job for London, and it’s easy to forget the Thames is a very well used river. Having spent some time with the RNLI at the Humber and Tenby lifeboat stations, the crews in London have a very different job but their attitude to doing their best to assist those who get into trouble on the water, whatever their location, is unchanging. London Lifeboat Day is a perfect opportunity to dig deep and support this incredible charity.’

In addition to search and rescue, the RNLI on the Thames have a proactive, marine safety and accident prevention role. Lifeboat crews patrol the river at busy times and for large events such as boat races, New Year and other festivities, including last year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant and London 2012 Olympics.

RNLI media contacts
Tim Ash, Public Relations Manager, London on 07785 296252/tim_ash@rnli.org.uk or Paul Cullen, Celebrity Manager on 07979 516696/paul_cullen@rnli.org.uk

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The BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2012 winner is appealing to youngsters in the town to support their local RNLI Lifeboat Station.

 

Media opportunity: Olympic champion Jade Jones meets the RNLI crew at Flint to launch a recruitment drive. Photographs will be available following the media opportunity.

Where: Flint RNLI Lifeboat Station

When: Saturday, April 13 at 11am.

-----------------------------------------

Jade, who is an aspirational role model for the town’s youngsters is launching a recruitment drive this weekend calling on local people to throw Flint RNLI a lifeline. She is urging townsfolk to do their bit to help saves lives on the treacherous banks of the River Dee. The station has experienced a dip in numbers and keen to find more people to keep the station afloat.

Jade says:

‘I’m incredibly proud of my roots in Flint, the support I’ve had from my home town has been phenomenal. I was shocked and saddened to sad to hear the local lifeboat station was struggling to find volunteers, as I appreciate what an amazing job the RNLI does. I know there are some good young people out there who would really benefit from the challenge. Joining the RNLI would be a fantastic opportunity for young people to give something back to this close-knit community and focus on something really worthwhile.

‘Training to be the very best at what you do is something I have quite a bit of experience at. I was amazed at the professionalism of the training offered to RNLI volunteers, who would be offered some amazing transferrable skills which helps them to go out and save lives. What could be a better feeling?’

Daytime cover at the station is currently a problem, with many of the volunteer crew working outside the area between the hours of nine and five.

Local recruitment agency GAP have already offered a helping hand by advertising for volunteers in the town centre shop, advertising on their website and liaising with local business to encourage employees to give up their time.
 
Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Forrester explains:

‘Many of our existing crew are employed outside the area, so we are appealing to anyone with an interest in joining to get in touch. We’re at pretty low numbers and its essential we have a full compliment of competent crew to answer the call for help whenever it comes.  The RNLI provides the very best training and equipment to ensure its volunteers can do their job in the safest possible way. 

The RNLI is a fantastic organisation and there is plenty of excitement, I hope people will answer Jade’s plea to become part of the team. We are so very grateful to her for coming on board, as the town really look up to her and what she has done for the town.’

Other RNLI lifeboat stations have also recently experienced a dip in numbers, with Aberdyfi, Borth, New Quay, Angle and Burry Port also launching localised recruitment drives.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the RNLI at Flint should contact Alan Forrester on 07785 593247 or Matt Crofts on 07917 212368.

ENDS

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Danielle Rush, Public Relations Manager (Wales and the West) on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829, email danielle_rush@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Page Content: Lifeboat crews who volunteer with the charity’s Flood Rescue Team travelled from Porthcawl, the Mumbles, Aberystwyth, Port Talbot, Criccieth and St Asaph to take part in the exercise. 

However last month the team were joined by a special guest, CBBC Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood, who joined in with the volunteers in their training exercise at Stanley Bank, Anglesey.  The CBBC Blue Peter episode which features the charity’s Flood Rescue Team will be broadcast on Thursday 21 March at 5:45pm.

The charity’s Welsh Flood Rescue Team were kept busy in 2012 as they responded to flooding incidents in Aberystwyth, Gwynedd and St Asaph; as well as four members of the specialist team deploying to assist their RNLI colleagues in Devon and Cornwall.

The volunteers will take part in another exercise next month where the team will join other emergency services in a multi-agency flooding training exercise in Bala, north Wales.


Notes to editor
• The CBBC Blue Peter programme which will include the RNLI Flood Rescue Team exercise is due to be broadcast on the CBBC channel on Thursday 21 March at 5:45pm.

RNLI media contact
For more information contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI Press Officer on 01745 585162 / 07771 941390 or e-mail Eleri_Roberts@rnli.org.uk.

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The Member of Parliament for the Vale of Glamorgan met volunteer crew, members of the fundraising and education teams and others who keep the station running and ready to respond to an emergency 24/7. 

Mr Cairns said:  ‘In the Port and seaside town of Barry, the RNLI lifeboat is of vital importance.  I have been very impressed by the commitment and the hard work carried out by volunteers at the station who are doing an amazing job.  I hope that my marathon run will go some way towards raising the £10,000 the station needs to raise to pay for a pontoon that will enable to lifeboat to launch more safely and quickly than before.’

Alun Cairns MP was given a tour of the Trent class RNLI lifeboat by the station’s Coxswain and volunteer crew.  Coxswain Hugh Davies, said:  ‘Alun was very interested to hear that the fuel costs alone reach £12,500 a year just at this station, so we are always grateful for the support given to us by the people of Barry, the Vale and beyond that helps to ensure that we are ready to carry out a rescue whenever our help is needed.’ 

Last year, the RNLI saved an average of 22 lives a day across the UK.  As one of the busiest stations in Wales, Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat station is rightly proud of its record, and the team that helps to deliver those results.

Stuart Macmillan, Chairman of the station, said: ‘we are a close community here at Barry Dock RNLI lifeboat station, and we are pleased to welcome Alun Cairns MP as a fellow supporter.  We wish him all the best for his training and will be keeping in touch ahead of the big day.’

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One of the first people to sign up to the 2013 swim is EastEnders star Steve McFadden.

Steve has taken part in the swim several times and has always offered his support, even when he’s been unable to participate due to his work commitments. He’s delighted to be signing up for this year’s swim and has already started training for the one-mile route from Pendennis Point to St Mawes.

The Castle to Castle swim sees hundreds of people take to the water, each helping to raise thousands of pounds for the RNLI. Last year alone nearly £30,000 was collected, with all the money going towards helping to support the RNLI lifeguard service in the Devon and Cornwall area.

The 2013 event will be run on Sunday 2nd June 2013 at midday, to coincide with a neap high tide (the lowest level of high tide).

Guy Botterill, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, says: ‘Thanks to all the participants over the past five years we’ve been able to raise a tremendous amount of money for the RNLI, which has gone directly to helping saving lives at sea by supporting RNLI lifeguards on our beaches around the south west coastline. The swim is an absolutely fantastic event largely run by volunteers, and without them it would simply not be possible.

‘We’re delighted to now be able to open entries for the 2013 swim and have already seen lots of people sign up to take part. The event promises to be great fun with a fantastic atmosphere so do come along and get involved.'

The event has a maximum limit of 400 swimmers and is open to anyone over the age of 14. Participants should also be intermediate or experienced sea swimmers.

If you are interested in entering the 2013 Castle to Castle Swim please email castle2castle@rnli.org.uk to register or follow this link: http://rnli.org/howtosupportus/getinvolved/events/Pages/Castle-2-Castle-Open-Water-Swim-2013.aspx  

Notes to editors

Attached is an image of Steve McFadden from the start of the 2009 swim – credit RNLI/NigelMillard.

Also attached an image from the start of the 2012 swim - credit RNLI/HollyDeRoy.

RNLI media contacts

For more information contact Emma Haines, RNLI Press Officer, on emma_haines@rnli.org.uk or 07920 818807 or Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Public Relations Manager, on tamsin_thomas@rnli.org.uk or 07786 668847.

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Volunteer lifeboat crewmembers from Portsmouth and Bembridge lifeboat stations today joined a 'Parade of Sail' to congratulate Alex who took 80 days to complete the 24,000 mile solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.

Alex arrived in Les Sables d’Olonne on Wednesday January 30th after 80days 19hours 23minutes and 43seconds at sea.

Despite being a race, Alex diverted his boat HUGO BOSS to ensure the safety of another competitor who had lost his keel.

Portsmouth crewmember Aaron Gent commented:

'We are all incredibly proud of Alex's achievement and were delighted to show our support alongside our colleagues from Bembridge RNLI. The reason we volunteer for the RNLI is to assist those in trouble on the water and it's heartening that Alex demonstrated his selflessness during the Vendée. We will have to think about signing him up to our crew!'

This is the first Vendée Globe that Alex has completed, having had to retire from previous attempts, and he becomes one of only three British skippers to secure a Vendée podium place.

Picture: Alex Thomson (centre) is pictured with Portsmouth RNLI volunteer crewmembers Jim Seed, Lewis Arnold, Simon Mathews and Aaron Gent

Page Content: Long before the start of the concert Saint Mary’s was full with an audience of 380 all looking forward to an enjoyable evening of music and they were not disappointed.

The concert had been organised by ex-crewmember Gary Griffiths and featured artistes closely associated with the town and lifeboat station. Gary will represent Wales in June at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. The concert also featured harpist to H R H Prince of Wales Hannah Stone, Caradog Williams, Burry Port Male Choir and Osian Bowen who is currently working for his Duke of Edinburgh award at the lifeboat station. 

Gary opened the concert singing works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Rogers and Hammerstein, his second spot featured works by Handel, Donizetti and Wolf.  All his songs were sung with a great deal of character and expression which reflected the mood of the songs and the operas and musicals that they were from. 

Hannah thrilled the audience by playing music by Debussy, traditional Welsh songs and more modern music by Spanish composer Jesus Guridi and American composer Deborah Henson-Conant. 

Burry Port Male Choir, Musical Director Ryan Lee and accompanist John Evans, sang songs arranged for choirs by Humphries, Hoppe and compositions by Kern, Picchi and Gounod.

Guest accompanist Caradog thrilled the audience with a rare solo piece Fantasie Impromtu by Chopin.  Caradog is well known as an accomplished accompanist but this was the first time that he had performed as a soloist in Burry Port.   

Sixteen year old Osian sang two items: Anthem from Chess by Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson and Bring Him Home from Les Misérables by Claude-Michel Schõnberg.

 Husband and wife Gary and Hannah performed four items together  one from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Dafydd y Garreg Wen a traditional Welsh melody, Stars from Les Misérables and the very apt Foggy, foggy dew by Benjamin Britten. 

At the end all participants combined to sing You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel by Rogers and Hammerstein.

All the artistes received standing ovations from an appreciative audience.  

Everyone at Burry Port RNLI is very grateful to Vicar Michael Wheatly and the Wardens for allowing us to hold the concert at Saint Mary’s.  The event was a wonderful success and a fitting start to our 40th anniversary year. 

Page Content: ​Television crew and presenter Michael Portillo joined the charity’s volunteers for filming on what turned out to be an extraordinary day for the Exmouth RNLI volunteer crew last summer. South West RNLI Public Relations Manager, Tamsin Thomas was co-ordinating the project on the 26 May;

‘A hot, sunny day in Exmouth kept the RNLI lifeboat volunteers in the town busy. In a space of four hours the crew of the D class inshore lifeboat attended to ten incidents. The emergencies alone illustrate the commitment of the station’s volunteers.’

‘As the crew volunteers onboard the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean launched on exercise as part of the BBC filming, the inshore lifeboat crew started out on what was to be an extraordinarily busy four hours.  At 11.49am they retrieved a windsurfer, diverting on route to check on a kayaker who they discovered wasn’t in trouble. Then at 12.38pm they headed back out to sea to a kite surfer who was brought ashore cold and exhausted but otherwise unhurt. One minute after arriving back at the beach, the RNLI volunteers were off again to another kite surfer who was suffering from a head injury having been hit by his board and who it turned out, had been in the water for 20 minutes. The crew brought him back to the station where he was met by local coastguard representatives and treated by a paramedic. Several more kite surfers and wind surfers were then rescued, caught out by the prevailing conditions.’

‘It was humbling to watch the RNLI volunteers cope with both the filming and the emergency call outs. They simply dealt with it all in a thoroughly professional way and I look forward to seeing the result of the filming when the programme airs on 1 February.’

Assistant Producer of Great British Railway Journeys, Rebecca Hevingham, said;

‘Exmouth is part of the London Paddington to Newton Abbot Journey which airs from Monday 28th January. Exmouth was towards the end of that journey, so that would mean it would go out on Friday 1st February at 6.30pm on BBC2.’

Notes to editors

Photos:  

PR240113 Great British Railways Journeys (credit Mel Mock)
Michael Portillo meets crew volunteer Roger Jackson and Coxswain Tim Mock from Exmouth RNLI.  

PR240113 Shore crew assist casualty (credit Mel Mock)
RNLI shore crew and coastguard assist a casualty on the beach.

PR240113 In-shore lifeboat crew (credit Mel Mock)
Exmouth RNLI crew volunteers rescue one of many casualties on that day.

Exmouth RNLI has been operating since 1858.  To learn more about the lifeboat stations past and present go to www.exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk
 
RNLI media contacts
Emma Tarling, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07837 810082 or emmatarling@ymail.com. 

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Timothy Spall (Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Auf Wiedersehen Pet) and his wife, Shane, will be filming on Loch Ness today (27 August) as part of their adventures for Spalls At Sea, a documentary about life aboard their 50 foot Barge as they travel around the coast of Britain.

Tim and Shane are great supporters of the RNLI and have been calling in at RNLI stations and meeting the volunteers as they travel.

Loch Ness has been a very much anticipated highlight for the duo and they plan to be in the area for the Glen Urquhart Games and Gathering on Saturday.

Last night they met the volunteer crew of the lifeboat and witnessed a training exercise.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information please contact Martin Douglas Lifeboat Press Officer Loch Ness Lifeboat on 07788 414 254

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Local lad and actor Sean Jones was delighted to visit the Lifeboat Crew especially after the RNLI volunteers played such an important role in St Asaph, where he was born, during the floods. His parents still live in Denbigh today.   Some of the Rhyl crew were part of the RNLI’s Flood Rescue Team, who assisted during the St.Asaph floods, helping some of Sean’s friends to safety.

Sean said:

“I cannot praise these brave, dedicated volunteers highly enough.  They are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They put themselves at risk to save countless people from distress and deadly danger. It was a privilege to meet them.”

The actors asked if they could have a photo with the crew dressed in their sea-going kit, so Coxswain Martin Jones and the others were more than happy to oblige.
Coxswain Jones said:

“We’ve welcomed a Duke before, but it’s not very often we get a King AND a Dame on the boat, let alone a group of dancers and a Fairy!”

Notes to editors
Attached picture shows the cast of “Sleeping Beauty”, with Sean Jones (front, centre in orange waistcoat), and the Rhyl RNLI volunteer crew at Rhyl.

The main players in the picture are:
Good Fairy:  Melanie Walters – “Gwen”, from Gavin and Stacey
Silly Billy:   Sean Jones – “Mickey” in Blood Brothers
Sleeping Beauty:  Jessica Punch
The Prince:  Rob Wilshaw
The King:    Marcus Knibbs
Nurse Nelly: Stephen David

Sleeping Beauty is at the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, until Saturday 12th January.

RNLI media contact
For more information please telephone Paul Frost, Rhyl RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07894 105165, or paul.frost@btinternet.com. 
Alternatively, contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager in the West on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829, or email drush@rnli.org.uk.

Page Content: The show was arranged by the band to say thank you to the lifeboat volunteers who have supported the bands efforts to get a Christmas number one with their single ‘Tragedy’. 

The song has been released to raise funds and awareness of the work of the RNLI, the charity that exists to save lives at sea and on inland waters and which operates nine lifeboat stations and ten lifeguarded beaches in Northern Ireland.

The band played a forty minute set which showcased some of their original material and included a Christmas favourite by Slade. Lifeboat crew and long standing fundraisers packed into the station for the impromptu concert and clapped along with the lads. They ended their set with ‘Tragedy’, the song penned for the RNLI, which brought the house down. 

Speaking after the gig, Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said, “We were delighted to host the band and to hear Tragedy played live, which has been released to raise funds for the charity.  I hope people get behind it and know that when they are buying it they are supporting a local and talented group and also raising funds to keep our lifeboats at sea and the crews fully trained and equipped.”

Nine Lies band lead singer Stevie Madden said, “We really enjoyed playing in front of Donaghadee RNLI lifeboat crew and fundraisers.  It was one of our more unusual gigs and one we won’t forget in a hurry.  We had fun arranging the tracks for an acoustic set as they are normally played with electric guitars and drums but we wanted to strip them back and play them for the people who make the RNLI the great charity it is.”

The single is available from all major online retailers and is comprised of the specially written track ‘Tragedy’ and a video of the song.  The band has been busy generating interest in the song and hope that people who are familiar with the work of the charity and the music of Nine Lies will support it.  


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RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager for Ireland Tel: 00 353 87 1254 124 or 00 353 1 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland Tel: 00 353 87 6483547 email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.  To contact the band Nine Lies please call Tish Romanov
Nine Lies Manager on Tel: 01736 785 732 or email: nine-lies.management@eerie-management.co.uk

Page Content: The charity, which exists to save lives at sea and on inland waters, operates nine lifeboat stations and has lifeguards on ten beaches in Northern Ireland.

Bass player with the band John Rossi joined an unusual choir at Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Belfast city last night, which was made up of volunteers from Donaghadee, Larne and Bangor RNLI lifeboat stations, who were singing Christmas songs to raise funds for the charity.  The RNLI is Victoria Square’s official charity of the year.

The band have also planned an intimate acoustic gig at Donaghadee lifeboat station this Friday evening (14 December 2012) in front of RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers to say thank you to the lifeboat volunteers who launch in all types of weather and conditions around the coast and on inland waters to save lives and bring people to safety.

The single is available from all major online retailers and is comprised of the specially written track ‘Tragedy’ and a video of the song.  The band has been busy generating interest in the song and hope that people who are familiar with the work of the charity and the music of Nine Lies will support it.  

Speaking about the song, Donaghadee RNLI Coxswain Philip McNamara said, “We are delighted that a group from Northern Ireland have chosen the RNLI to benefit from the sale of their single “Tragedy”.  Our lifeboat crews launch all year round and are ready to answer any call for help.  There will be RNLI lifeboats out over Christmas and the New Year to help people and it’s good to know that this song, which will no doubt be played on radio and in people’s home during the holidays, will be raising funds to keep those lifeboats at sea and the crews fully trained and equipped.”

Nine Lies band member John Rossi from Belfast added, “We have been thrilled with the response to the single so far.  So many people have got behind it and we would love to see it as the Christmas number one.  We have met with many RNLI volunteers and we felt that the words of the song reflected the commitment they have to saving lives. We are really looking forward to playing an acoustic set for the RNLI volunteers at their lifeboat station, which may be one of the most unusual venues we’ve played in our career.  I just hope that people like the song and they go and buy it.”


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RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager for Ireland Tel: 00 353 87 1254 124 or 00 353 1 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Ireland Tel: 00 353 87 6483547 email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.  To contact the band Nine Lies please call Tish Romanov
Nine Lies Manager on Tel: 01736 785 732 or email: nine-lies.management@eerie-management.co.uk

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Volunteer crew members from Hastings RNLI lifeboat station will become temporary stars of the small screen this month when they feature in a new, primetime television programme.

Crew members from the station will appear on ‘Mayday Mayday’, a dramatic ITV documentary which shines the spotlight on the brave volunteer lifeboat men and women who regularly give up their time to launch on rescue missions.

The show gives viewers an armchair view of the often-terrible conditions at sea that crews have to face, using footage captured from onboard lifeboat cameras and helmet cameras to bring extraordinary rescue scenes from the sea to the sofa.

The emergency callout which will be a featured on the show on Tuesday 27 September was to assist fire fighters on the eve of the devastating pier fire in Hastings on Tuesday 5 October 2010. The volunteer lifeboat crew were called out in the early hours of the morning to take them afloat to tackle the blaze, which ultimately destroyed the Victorian pier.

Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched to help transport specialist equipment to fight the fire and thermal imaging equipment to check for signs of life - although the pier had been closed to the public for some years, it was originally feared there may have been people on the structure.

As well as featuring in the series for a lifeboat launch, a number of the links between rescue clips were also filmed at Hastings RNLI lifeboat station, performed by the show’s host, TV’s Craig Doyle.

Eleanor Driscoll, Head of the RNLI Film and Image Unit, said she was delighted at the prospect of a television show focused solely on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution: ‘The charity has, of course, featured on many different television programmes, most notably the long-running Seaside Rescue series. However, this is the first time a full series has been commissioned which concentrates solely on the lifesaving work of our volunteers.

‘The increasing availability and affordability of technology has enabled us to fit lifeboat cameras onboard many of our lifeboats, along with some cameras mounted on helmets, to give a real close-up view of the action. As well as showing our supporters exactly what their donations are helping us to do, and providing the RNLI with a valuable training resource, this footage allows us to show the general public what it is we do 24 hours a day, seven days a week – helping those in distress and saving lives at sea.’

The eight-part series is presented by Irish television and radio presenter Craig Doyle, known for his hosting of the popular programme, Holiday. The Mayday Mayday episode featuring the Hastings RNLI lifeboat crew will be broadcast on ITV1 on Tuesday 27 September at 7.30pm.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Tim Ash, Divisional Media Relations Manager (South East and London) on 0207 6207426 or 07785 296252, email tim_ash@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

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Chico, born in Bridgend is soon to take on the role of Prince Charming when he makes his Welsh pantomime debut at Swansea Grand next Friday (14 December). The singer who is famous for appearing on the X Factor with the phrase ‘It’s Chico Time’ today announced ‘It’s Fundraising Time’ for the boathouse build. 
Work is already underway to construct the new boathouse before the station receives their modern new lifeboat. The £2.7M lifeboat has been funded by the Roy Barker Memorial Fund and will be named RNLB Roy Barker IV.  The Mumbles’ Tamar is expected to arrive once the boathouse has been built. The current plan is for the completion of the new slipway stations in October next year.

Today, Chico launched the appeal to raise funds towards the galley and operations room. In January, RNLI fundraisers will be spearheading a series of events such as a ‘Tea for Tamar’ afternoon which will hopefully see the community getting behind fundraising efforts.

He says:

‘It was a pleasure to be invited along to The Mumbles today to meet some of the amazing RNLI volunteers who drop everything to save lives at sea. Seeing the work developing at The Mumbles certainly makes you realise what a challenging project this must be.

‘To think the RNLI relies on voluntary contributions and legacies for income is amazing. I hope the public dig deep and help to raise some of the funds needed to finish this ambitious project to provide a home for the new lifeboat that’s expected in the near future.’

The Tamar features modern technology to enhance its lifesaving capabilities. Compared to the Tyne class lifeboat, the Tamar is bigger – 16 metres as opposed to 14 – and has a faster response time, with a speed of 25, rather than 17 knots.

Anyone who would like to support the appeal should contact RNLI Community Fundraising Manager Jessica Lee on 01633 283814 or 07831109770. Alternatively email Jessica_Lee@rnli.org.uk.

The first Tamar went on station at Tenby in Wales in 2006, followed by Angle in 2009.

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Notes to editor
Attached are photos of Chico with The Mumbles RNLI volunteer crew.
Credit: D Legakis Photography 

RNLI Media Contacts
For more information please contact Danielle Rush, Divisional Media Relations Manager (Wales and the West) on 01745 585162 or 07786 668829, email danielle_rush@rnli.org.uk or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

Page Content: The event, which this year featured Olympic sailor Annalise Murphy, is becoming increasingly popular as a fun day out for all the family.  Participants got into the Christmas spirit by wearing a pair of novelty antlers on their head while completing their walks and runs around the park in their special Reindeer Run t-shirts. 

The reindeer runners came from all over Leinster and further afield with lifeboat crew from Wicklow and Lough Ree RNLI also taking part.  One man even participated while on holiday from California.  The charity is expecting to raise over €22,000 from the day, which will go to RNLI lifeboats in Ireland.

Special guest of honour at the RNLI Reindeer Run was Olympic sailor and Rathfarnham native Annalise Murphy who took time out of her busy training schedule to start the 10km and even take part in the run herself. 

Events started just after 10am at Marlay park when an excited group of children headed off on a short Santa Saunter.  Along the way they had to write down words associated with Christmas and were surprised on the route by Santa Claus and Rookie the RNLI Reindeer.

The ten km race started at 11am with Michael Purcell from Jones Lang LaSalle being the fastest male finisher with a time of 37 minutes and 36 seconds with the fastest female finisher Kathy Grassick from Pulse Triathlon club, Celbridge with her time of 44 minutes and 54 seconds.

Michael dedicated his run to his friend Vinnie O’Brien who sadly died in September off Kilmore Quay, in a diving accident.  Vinnie was passionate about the sea and admired the work of the RNLI.  Thirty-one of Vinnie’s colleagues from Green properties Ltd, where he worked, also took part in the run and raised over €5,000 in memory of their friend.

An hour later saw the turn of the 5km group with Dermot Gorman from Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club finishing first with a time of 17 minutes and 2 seconds and Anne Burke, the fastest female finisher had a time of 21 minutes and 40 seconds.

Commenting on the day, RNLI Reindeer Run Co-ordinator Rose Michael said, “We are delighted with how the day went and that so many people turned up.  The atmosphere was great with children and adults all getting into the Christmas spirit and enjoying the different events.  The sight of groups of children and runners taking off around the park in antlers was something special and I hope we can continue to organise this event in years to come. Thank you to everyone who took part and raised vital funds for the RNLI.”

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RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk or Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer Tel: 087 6483547 or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
 

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Now Geoff has used some of the books proceeds to support the station. At a dinner at the Mullion Cove Hotel on Saturday night he presented Coxswain Andrew Putt and Mechanic Dan Atkinson with a rescue manikin. Geoff also presented each member of the crew with a new jacket which displays the station name and logo.
 
The evening also saw Daphne Skinnard, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall and Deputy Editor of BBC Radio Cornwall present several members of The Lizard lifeboat crew with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. A number of the crew were eligible to receive the award as they have served on the lifeboat for over five years.
 
Coxswain Andrew Putt said: ‘This has been a fantastic evening. All the crew feel really privileged that Geoff decided to put together a book about the rebuild. We have now benefitted twice, as we have an outstanding record for the future demonstrating what was involved in the rebuild and now Geoff has presented us with an important training resource which will benefit the station for many years to come.
 
For anyone wanting to support the lifeboat and get a chance to look around the new lifeboat station and meet the crew, The Lizard lifeboat station is holding a carolaire at the station in Kilcobben Cove, The Lizard on Friday 7 December at 7pm. The St Keverne Choir and Landewednack School choir will be performing. There will also be refreshments available. If you require any further information please contact the station on 01326 290451or The Lizard lifeboat fundraising committee secretary Pat Ashby on 01326 290760.
 
To find out more about The Lizard lifeboat station please visit the station website at www.thelizardlifeboat.org.uk 

  
RNLI notes to editors

 

The attached photograph shows The Lizard lifeboat crew being presented with the rescue manikin and jackets by Geoff Squibb. Please credit Bernice Putt

 

The second photograph shows Geoff Squibb (front row) presenting Mechanic Dan Atkinson (back left) Coxswain Andrew Putt (middle Back) and Ned Nuzum Lifeboat Operations Manager at The Lizard (back right) with the rescue manikin and jacket. 

 

RNLI media contacts

 

For more information please contact Bernice Putt , Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, The Lizard Lifeboat Station on 0796522176 or email bernice.putt987@btinternet.com or contact Tamsin Thomas, RNLI Media Relations Manager, on 07786 668847 or email Tamsin_Thomas@rnli.org.uk 

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Volunteers from Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Fundraising Guild organised a bucket collection on the night. Together with a generous donation from Rebecca herself, this totalled £467.40. Money raised from both the Exmouth and Exeter concerts will be contributing towards a new launch and recovery system for the Shannon class lifeboat arriving at Exmouth RNLI towards the end of 2013. Speaking fondly of her childhood in Exmouth, Rebecca says:

‘I spent many happy summer days on Exmouth and Shelly beaches when I was growing up, so I always knew what the RNLI stood for and how it was run by volunteers.  When I moved to London with work at 21, I was surprised to find out how many people did not know the crew were volunteers or that the charity relied on the public donations to support its work. I hope to do my bit to bring awareness of the RNLI to a new audience and help inspire some fundraisers, lifeguards and crew of the future.’

Audiences were thrilled by Rebecca's magical voice, performing masterpieces from opera, the musicals and pop. Rebecca was joined on stage by special guest, tenor Lance Vernon and the local Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir.

Rebecca’s debut single, accompanied by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra is available on downloadable format. This is a classical Italian version of 'My Heart Will Go On', (Il Mio Cuore Va) from the hit film 'Titanic’. A percentage of sales will contribute to the RNLI.

For more information about Rebecca's 'Coast to Coast' tour, please visit www.rebeccanewman.net.

Notes to Editors

Photos:  PR191112 Exmouth RNLI volunteers with Rebecca Newman

RNLI Notes to editors  
Exmouth RNLI has been operating since 1858.  To learn more about the lifeboat stations past and present go to www.exmouth-lifeboat.org.uk  

RNLI media contacts

Emma Tarling, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07837 810082 or email emmatarling@ymail.com

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Dave, a member of the Humber crew for over 22 years, was secretly nominated for the programme by fellow crew member Tom Ward as a special treat in recognition of his loyal service to the RNLI.

The ‘actual’ surprise took place in early October when an ITV production team visited the charity’s lifeboat station at Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, under the premise that the crew were being filmed for a documentary about Britain’s rescue services.

Dave believed that he was taking part in a training exercise featuring a ‘mock’ rescue at sea and received the surprise of his life when one of the casualties turned out to be his favourite singer Katherine Jenkins.

He explained: ‘I was totally amazed when I boarded the distressed boat and a blonde lady turned round and it was none other than Katherine Jenkins!

‘I’ve been a huge fan for a long time and never in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever meet her.  How many people get to meet a world-class famous singer, never mind their favourite artist?’

Back on dry land, Katherine treated Dave to a unique performance of his favourite song Nella Fantasia in front of an intimate audience of RNLI crew, family and friends.

During the filming, Dave, who has taken part in many notable rescues in his time at Humber RNLI, was also reunited with some of the people he and the crew have saved over the years.

There is still one more treat to come as Dave and his wife Karen have been invited to see Katherine in concert in Sheffield in December.

Dave added: ‘Tom, the crew and my family did in an amazing job of keeping the true nature of the day a secret. They were acting slightly strangely in the weeks prior to filming but they never gave anything away.

‘I would like to thank everyone involved in the surprise for making it such a special experience. I am still walking on air and I will treasure the memory for the rest of my life.’

Picture captions
1. The photograph shows from left to right: RNLI Coxswain Dave Steenvoorden, Katherine Jenkins and ITV presenter Dave Berry. Credit: Steve Medcalf.
2. Katherine Jenkins is pictured with Dave Steenvoorden and members of his family including his wife Karen (right). Katherine is holding Dave’s grandson Finlay. Credit: Steve Medcalf.
3. Katherine is pictured with Dave and fellow RNLI crew members. Credit: Steve Medcalf.

RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North, on 01642 750585 or 07824 518641 or at clare_hopps@rnli.org.uk

Page Content: Irish lifeboats and their volunteer crews last year launched 980 times and brought 905 people to safety.

This year two RNLI Reindeer Runs will take place at Fota House and Gardens in Cork on Sunday 25 November and at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham in Dublin on Sunday 2 December.  All abilities and ages are catered for with participants choosing from a 5km or 10km walk/run or a shorter Santa Saunter.  To get into the Christmas spirit all participants are given a pair of novelty antlers to wear and an RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt.  Rookie the Reindeer Run mascot will also be present to join in the fun.

Rachel Allen, who will be taking part in the 5km Reindeer Run in Cork, joined  lifeboat volunteers to call on runners and walkers of all ages to join in the fun and sign up for the runs or walks.  Rachel is a long standing supporter of the RNLI and is familiar with the life-saving work of the charity, living close to Ballycotton lifeboat station.

Speaking at the launch for the RNLI Reindeer Runs, Rachel said, ‘I and my family watch as the volunteers launch their all-weather lifeboat on exercise every Wednesday evening. When we see it launch at any other time, we know the callout is for real. We are so lucky to have a service like the RNLI which relies completely on the generosity of the public and voluntary contributions. The Reindeer Runs are a great way for the whole family to have fun while helping the charity to save lives at sea’.

Eileen Kearney, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager is encouraging entrants to register early as places are limited and likely to fill up fast.  ‘This is the second RNLI Reindeer Run in Cork and the third one to take place in Dublin. They have become hugely popular and are now a major event on the charity’s Christmas calendar.  Irish lifeboats are busy all year round but some of their most challenging callouts occur over the Winter months.  While others will be enjoying the Christmas festivities with their loved ones, we know that somewhere RNLI lifeboats will be launched to help save lives at sea’.

Entrants for both Reindeer Runs are asked to register online at rnli.org/reindeer. The closing date for Cork is Friday 23 November and Friday 30 November for Dublin.  The registration cost is €9 for the Santa Saunter, €20 for 5km and €22 for 10km. There will also be prizes for the best fancy dress.

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RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email Nuala_McAloon@rnli.org.uk or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email Niamh_Stephenson@rnli.org.uk

Page Content: The show is to be broadcast on ITV1 at 7pm and will feature Dave receiving the surprise of his life from a special celebrity guest.

Humber RNLI crew member Tom Ward, who nominated his colleague, explained: ‘Dave has been part of the Humber crew for over 22 years and in that time he has taken part in many notable rescues and has saved several lives.

‘When I heard that ITV was looking for nominations for their new series of Surprise, Surprise, I thought that Dave would be the ideal person to receive a special treat in recognition of his loyal service to the RNLI.’

The filming took place at the charity’s lifeboat station at Spurn Point, East Yorkshire in early October under the ruse that the crew would feature in a documentary about Britain’s rescue services.

Tom added: ‘We had to keep the real purpose of the filming a secret. It took weeks of detailed planning, hushed whispers and lots of phone-calls to the ITV production team.

‘I’m really pleased that the surprise was such a success and I would like to thank my fellow crew members and Dave’s family and friends for keeping everything under wraps.’

Dave, who believed that he and the crew were taking part in a training exercise featuring a ‘mock’ rescue at sea, explained: ‘The crew were acting slightly suspiciously in the weeks prior to filming. Tom kept sneaking into my office and checking the station rotas but I never suspected such a lovely surprise was heading my way.

‘When the exercise turned into a rescue with a ‘hidden extra’, I was blown away. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience which I will never forget.’

Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI Coxswain Dave Steenvoorden (centre) and ITV presenter Dave Berry during the filming at Humber RNLI. Picture Credit: Steve Medcalf.

RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Alison Levett, RNLI Public Relations Manager, North, on 01642 750585 or 07786 668912 or at alison_levett@rnli.org.uk

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The volunteers had a race against time to save Peterlee teenager Neil Robson, who was trapped in sand with the tide coming in quickly. The 17-year-old had become stuck on Seaton Carew beach while trying to rescue his little brother, who escaped unharmed.

On Wednesday (17 October) some of the Hartlepool RNLI volunteers will appear on ITV Daybreak to discuss the rescue with presenters Aled Jones and Lorraine Kelly. The winner of the award will be announced during Friday’s show.

Hartlepool RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Mike Craddy said: ‘This rescue was a fantastic team effort and the fact that Neil escaped practically unscathed was reward enough. RNLI volunteers don’t do what they do for recognition and awards. However, it is a great honour to be nominated for the Daybreak Emergency Services Award and I am very proud of all my crew who did such a brilliant job that day.’

The rescue for which the crew are nominated took place on 30 September 2011. The RNLI crew was first on scene in an inshore lifeboat under the command of helm Clare Gibbin. Other volunteers from Hartlepool lifeboat station travelled to the beach by car. Despite the risk of being trapped in the sand themselves, five RNLI crew members entered the water to help free Neil.

With sand and water levels reaching their chests, RNLI crew Liam Dunnett and Mark Barker fought to keep Neil’s head above water while Darren Killick, Rob Archer and Matthew Adams dug sand away from Neil’s legs. During the rescue operation they had to remove their lifejackets to enable them to work under the surface of the water.

Coastguard Rescue Officers Colin Lodge and Chris Hornsey also arrived to help dig Neil free from the sand. The ordeal lasted 75 minutes and with just moments to spare, he was freed from the sand with the help of a high-pressure hose supplied by the fire service.

Neil, who escaped with mild hypothermia, cuts and bruises, said: ‘The RNLI and Coastguard did an amazing job. I’m very grateful for what they did for me under terrifying circumstances.’

If the RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Team volunteers win the Daybreak Emergency Services Award announced on Friday 19 October they will attend the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, sponsored by Lidl.  The awards are hosted by Carol Vorderman and take place on 29 October in the Grosvenor House on London's Park Lane. The event will be shown on ITV1 on Tuesday 30 October.

HRH Prince of Wales and Prime Minister David Cameron will attend the award ceremony, along with many Olympic and Paralympic heroes and celebrities including Gary Barlow, Dawn French, Rolf Harris, Tess Daly, Vernon Kay, Amanda Holden, and Holly Willoughby.

Daybreak is on ITV1 weekdays from 6am to 8.30am.

Picture caption
Hartlepool RNLI volunteers and a coastguard battle to rescue the stranded teenager last September. Credit Hartlepool Mail/Tom Collins.


RNLI media contacts
For more information please contact Alison Levett, RNLI Public Relations Manager, North, on 01642 750585 or 07786 668912 or at alison_levett@rnli.org.uk 
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Greg, fresh from his bronze medal success at London 2012, visited Chiswick RNLI Lifeboat Station to take part in a naming ceremony for a new E-class lifeboat.

He officially named the lifeboat Dougie and Donna B, and paid tribute to the bravery of the lifeboat crews who regularly risk their own safety to save others.

The funding for the lifeboat came from south east London couple Douglas and Rosemary Battams, who left the RNLI a sum in their will. The couple, who never had children, chose to support the RNLI in their will because of Douglas – or ‘Dougie’s’ – association with the sea. He had been at sea or around water for most of his life, in the Merchant Navy for many years and then later working on the Thames with the Port of London Authority (PLA).

Rosemary was better known as Donna; in part a reference to her maiden name of Donovan, but also to avoid confusion with another Rosemary in the family.

Given that there are no direct relatives of the Battams, Greg was invited to name the new lifeboat because of his previous support for Chiswick RNLI and the charity’s biggest national fundraising event, SOS Day.

He said: ‘Today I have been naming the new lifeboat and it’s brilliant to be part of something this special. I have rowed up and down this river for 25 years and I know it can be dangerous, and I know the lifeboats are called out quite regularly to all sorts of incidents. It’s a privilege to be a part of the naming ceremony and I have really enjoyed the day.

‘It's so special to have been in London this summer and to see how many people have given a bit extra and volunteered, all doing that little bit more. For me to come to the end of this summer and to be here today with an organisation based on volunteering and fundraising, on people giving time and money to protect and look after each other, feels extremely special.'

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RNLI media contacts

• Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 / tim_ash@rnli.org.uk 
• Philly Byrde, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East)
0207 6207425 / 07786 668825 / philly_byrde@rnli.org.uk 
• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789