Barmouth RNLI thanks supporters

Fundraising Chair Wendy Ponsford addressed a crowded room of supporters, crew members, and RNLI shop volunteers, explaining that the event was held for all those who had supported Barmouth RNLI during 2016 and she thanked them all for their continuing and generous help throughout the year.

During the evening, Derek Haywood and his wife Sallie from Dyffryn Ardudwy presented the station with a beautiful quilt handcrafted by Sallie portraying in fine detail the Barmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat the Moira Barrie. Derek also donated a cheque for £150 from his Yellow Wellie appeal in Dyffryn. This will be added to the amount already collected by Derek towards the Craig Steadman Appeal in memory of the Holyhead RNLI lifeboat volunteer who tragically died in a road traffic accident in August last year. The funds will go towards a new D-class lifeboat, which will be located at Barmouth.

Branch Treasurer June Davies announced record profits from the RNLI shop and fundraising events again this year and volunteers were delighted to hear that, in addition to their regular fundraising efforts, the branch had now raised over £7,000 towards the Craig Steadman Appeal.

A short film was shown, a compilation of some of the rescues performed and training exercises undertaken by the Barmouth RNLI volunteers during 2016. This depicted some harrowing rescues in difficult conditions and outlined vividly the courage of our lifeboat crew members and the training and skills required to save lives at sea. A special vote of thanks to the lifeboat crew for their outstanding efforts was recorded.

The next event in the RNLI calendar will be the annual New Year’s Day Dip on 1 January 2017 at 11 am. The dip is open to anyone feeling brave enough to participate and sponsor forms can be obtained from Barmouth Lifeboat Station or by emailing [email protected].

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Norma Stockford, Barmouth Lifeboat Press Officer on 07917 245882 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

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 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 146,000 lives.

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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.