Bridge Club’s generous donation to RNLI Paver Appeal

The Lytham Bridge Club wished to show their support for the Lytham St Annes RNLI Station and its volunteers by purchasing a paver for permanent display outside the All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) House on South Promenade.

Feeling it was an insufficient amount to help the sea charity’s rescue work the club increased the amount donated substantially. A group of their members came to present a cheque to the RNLI Station Chair of Fundraising, Chris Wrigley, at the boathouse.

Donning his other hat as Head of the Station Visits Team, Chris then showed them around the boathouse and the Barbara Anne Shannon class lifeboat as a thank you. They all were very impressed by the magnificent boat and SLRS launch system.

The Lytham Bridge Club are always happy to welcome prospective new members at their regular meetings at their club house in Bazley Road.

The Paver 2 project gives the public the opportunity to obtain a paver outside the All-weather Lifeboat House on South Promenade (FY8 1SJ), which can be engraved with their own name or the names of loved ones who they wish to remember.

The highly successful Paver 1 project ran in 2024 to mark the 200^th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI. The line of pavers runs from the boathouse to the top of the slipway to help guide the lifeboat in poor visibility. Every time the lifeboat Barbara Anne launches she has to follow this line. Since completion of the line in 2024, many enquiries have been made by people who missed out the first time so the Paver 2 project to celebrate the Station’s 175^th anniversary, was born to satisfy the demand. This time the line of pavers down the side of the pathway, also used to guide the lifeboat, will be replaced with engraved, named ones. These are larger than the Paver 1 project pavers so can accommodate more letters / words and some who obtained a paver in the first batch are now having a second one to allow more names to be added.

The Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station Open Day is to be held on Saturday 5 September, 10.30am to 4.30pm, at South Promenade in conjunction with the St Annes International Kite Festival. It will feature many of the usual attractions. Both Lifeboats, the ALB Barbara Anne and the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) MOAM will be available for viewing and a chance to meet the volunteer crew. Live music, games, cafe, BBQ and more will be on hand to entertain all ages.

Alison Young, Station Branch Secretary said, 'The Open Day will be an ideal opportunity to order a Paver, as soon after, the list will be closed. Don’t miss out this time.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

David Forshaw, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Lytham St Annes RNLI, [email protected]

Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07977 728 315, [email protected]

Danielle Rush, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Wales, West of England and Isle of Man, 07786 668829, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.