Community raises over £850 for Sunderland RNLI during successful weekend events
Sunderland RNLI Lifeboat Station welcomed hundreds of visitors to its recent open day, while RNLI volunteers also attended Sunderland History Fair on the same day, with both events together raising more than £850 in support of the charity’s lifesaving work.
Visitors to Sunderland Lifeboat Station enjoyed the opportunity to look around the station, sit aboard the lifeboats, browse a pop-up shop and meet RNLI volunteers. The event was held in warm sunny weather and attracted strong support from the local community. Donations collected in the station bucket totalled £366.23, while the pop-up shop raised a further £94.
The RNLI would like to thank everyone who attended and supported the event. Funds raised will help support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's lifesaving service, which operates 24 hours a day around the coast of the UK and Ireland.
On the same day, volunteers from the RNLI Durham Branch and RNLI Shop attended Sunderland History Fair at Bethany Church and Bede Tower. The event attracted a large number of visitors throughout the day and provided a unique opportunity for members of the public to explore more than 200 years of RNLI history.
For the first time, visitors were able to view a remarkable collection of historic RNLI medals, fundraising badges and memorabilia. Highlights included an 1818 medal linked to Sunderland lifeboat designer John Davison and one of the earliest RNLI Silver Medals for Gallantry, awarded in 1825.
The display generated significant interest, with many visitors sharing personal memories and family connections to the RNLI and the sea. The History Fair raised £362.85 through souvenir sales and a further £31.34 in donations, bringing the combined total raised across both events to £854.42.
David Hastings, Secretary, RNLI Durham Fundraising Branch, said:
‘We would like to thank everyone who supported us at both events. It was wonderful to meet so many people from our local community and share more about the RNLI's lifesaving work, both past and present. Every donation, purchase and conversation helps support our volunteers as they continue to save lives at sea.’
The RNLI is already looking ahead to its next community event, Harbour Day, which will take place on Sunday 9 August. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The charity is also reminding people to stay safe when visiting the coast. Anyone who sees somebody in difficulty at sea or along the coastline should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Claire Bird, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Sunderland, [email protected]
Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for North East and East England, 07824 518641, [email protected]
Richard Grange, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for North East and East England, 07483 112015, [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.