Early Christmas present for Fishguard RNLI

The money was raised by Mark’s work colleagues at Whitchurch Fire Station in Cardiff as part of their annual fundraising event on 5 November.

Mark’s parents were involved with the Fishguard RNLI lifeboat for many years - his father, Ken, as crew, and his mother as a fundraising volunteer. Mark’s mother, Pauline, died earlier this year and his colleagues wanted to give part of their charity funds to the Fishguard RNLI lifeboat as a mark of respect.

Mark said: ‘My father was on the lifeboat crew for 32 years and my mother spent most of her life fundraising for the RNLI so it means a great deal to me to make this donation in memory of mum.'

David Williams, Fishguard RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: 'This generous donation came as a big surprise to us here at the station and we'd like to thank Mark and all his colleagues in the fire service for the early Christmas present. The RNLI charity receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on good will like this to maintain its 24/7 search and rescue service.

'We wish Mark and everyone at Whitchurch Fire Station a very merry Christmas.'

Notes to editors:

The photo shows from left to right: Fishguard RNLI Coxswain Paul Butler, Mark Bean and Fishguard RNLI Assistant Mechanic Colin Dunn. Credit RNLI/Fishguard

RNLI media contacts:

For more information please contact Rick Mabey, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer at Fishguard RNLI, on 07785 953251 or [email protected]. Alternatively contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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