Southend RNLI volunteers embrace national suicide prevention charity
This October several Southend RNLI volunteers took on the challenge of a demanding commando obstacle course raising funds for Andy’s Man Club suicide prevention charity. Our RNLI volunteers visited a local charity meeting to find out more.
Six Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew ran the extremely tough commando obstacle course at Hever Castle on 11 October 2025 in an attempt to raise £1,000 for Andy’s Man Club charity. Incredibly the volunteers raised well over their target with £1,765 in the pot so far. Donations will be open until 5 November. To donate visit One Crew Commando is fundraising for ANDYSMANCLUB
Two Southend RNLI lifeboat volunteers, Iain and Josh joined an Andy’s Man Club meeting to find out more about the work the suicide prevention charity does.
Southend RNLI volunteer Iain Keenan said: ‘Finding a safe space to open up and get support is so important. Andy’s man club is such a welcoming and friendly group, and I would highly recommend any man who struggling with their mental health or who just needs to chat and open up to get in contact with Andy’s Man Club and get along to one of their group evenings.
‘They have groups all over the UK and you can find your local one by emailing [email protected] As a member of Southend sea lifeboat crew I am really pleased we made the connection and look forward to reciprocating their invite and welcoming them to our lifeboat station for a tour and chance to meet crew’.
Andy’s Man Club hold regular meetings, there to talk to and help men with mental health issues. IT’S OK TO TALK. A very important message to anyone.
Southend RNLI volunteer Josh Rae said: ‘It was really good to see so many people coming together to talk about their Mental Health, it’s definitely a worthwhile thing to do, and the tea and biscuits were great’.
As with the RNLI, Andy’s Man Club rely entirely on generous public donations to provide their peer-to-peer support services. Southend RNLI volunteers will be taking on the commando challenge next year to raise further funds for the charity.
Jaina from Andy’s Man Club said: ‘As a fully donation led charity, we appreciate every single donation no matter how big or small. The donations go towards providing the lads with brew and biscuits supplies on a Monday, the costs of hiring the venues, the cost of printing awareness supplies to post all over the UK and so much more’.
Andy’s Man Club, peer to peer support group for men. ‘Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 54 years of age’. Groups meet Mondays at 7pm except Bank holidays. Find your nearest group visit: www.andysmanclub.co.uk or email: [email protected] It’s ok to talk.
For further information please contact:
- Nigel Gilchrist. Lifeboat Press Officer at Southend-on-Sea RNLI [email protected] or 07765875300
- Hatti Mellor | RNLI Regional Communications Manager – South East, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Notes to Editors:
- Southend RNLI is one of the busiest coastal stations across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Southend RNLI cover approximately fifteen miles of shore from Shoeburyness to Canvey and beyond.
- For more information, please visit http://www.southendlifeboat.org/
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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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that 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 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. 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 146,700 lives.
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