Answer the RNLI Mayday call at Penarth Lifeboat Station
People in Penarth and neighbouring areas are being encouraged to support 2 local events to help raise vital funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as part of the charity’s national annual fundraising event, Mayday.
Organised by the Penarth RNLI Fundraising Committee, the first event, on Saturday 30 April, is a coffee morning to be held at the All Saints Hall, Victoria Square, Penarth, 10.30am until noon.
Admission is just £1 on the door and there will be cake and bottle stalls, bric-a-brac, a raffle and a variety of lifeboat souvenirs available to purchase. Refreshments will be available. There will also be an opportunity to purchase our Mayday yellow welly pin badges, which are sure to be popular on the day.
On Sunday 8 May the Committee hosts a 5km (3 mile) walk around Penarth. Last year’s event was very popular, and saw many adults, children and dogs take part in a really fun activity, helping us all to keep fit and raise funds at the same time.
It costs £5 per adult to take part in the walk, accompanied children are free, and the walk starts and finishes at Penarth Lifeboat Station, meet at 9am for a 9.30am start. There will be free tea and coffee at the station for all participants after the walk and a chance to see our boats and meet volunteer crew members.
The RNLI’s Mayday campaign launches on Tuesday 26 April and runs through to the Mayday Bank Holiday weeeknd on Monday 2 May, with street collections and fundraising events taking place across the UK and Ireland.
Penarth RNLI Fundraising Committee member Caroline Eva said: ‘RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are willing to drop everything to go and save lives at sea when their pagers beep. The Mayday campaign is our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to help us continue our lifesaving service, which we operate day and night, 365 days a year.’
Many of the Mayday fundraising events will have a yellow welly theme, in a nod to the essential kit that the RNLI’s lifeboat crew members wear on their feet when they go out to sea to save lives.
The charity is encouraging people to show their support by using the hashtag #MaydayEveryday on social media, buying and wearing a Mayday yellow welly pin badge, hosting or supporting a fundraising event or donating online. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk around Penarth – many local shops and pubs have kindly offered to support Mayday by selling the badges.
Visit RNLI.org/Mayday to donate, to order a pin badge or to see what other ways you can support the RNLI’s Mayday campaign. Alternatively, text MAYDAY to 70300 to donate £3*.
Money raised through Mayday fundraising events will support the RNLI’s lifesaving work – it could be used to fund crew training, buy new crew kit, or contribute towards the running costs of a lifeboat station.
The RNLI operates 237 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews launched 8,228 times, rescuing 7,973 people and saving 348 lives.
* Texts cost £3 + standard network rate. Please ensure you have the bill payer’s permission. The RNLI will receive £3.
Notes to editors:
A video from last year's Penarth RNLI Mayday fundraising walk is available here: https://youtu.be/KyjmTbns7UE
Pic caption: Many of the Mayday fundraising events will have a yellow welly theme, in a nod to the essential kit that the RNLI’s lifeboat crew members wear on their feet when they go out to sea to save lives.
RNLI media contacts:
For more information, please contact Andy Berry, Penarth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07951051128 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 10745 585162. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk.
Key facts about the RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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 or by email.
The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland