Hundreds make Cardiff’s RNLI sail day a fundraising success

The lifesaving charity is overjoyed with the total, and is already calling on people to register their interest in taking part in next year’s race. The event depends on local yacht owners donating their time and the use of their vessels to enable corporate sponsors to sail on their vessels.

After first meeting in Cardiff Bay, the 15 mile race started at Penarth Pier and the course plotted a route across the Bristol Channel towards Weston-super-Mare, next heading for Bristol, across to Newport, before returning to Penarth Pier. This year's participants were treated to a closer look at RNLI lifeboats, from Barry Dock and Penarth.

The winning boat was Turkana owned by Tony Rayer and sponsored by Simon Clarke of Retrofit/Techni3 who won the Trophy originally donated by WT Davies some 25 years ago and whose widow, Joan Davies, presented it to the winners.  A close second was Forward Thinking owned by Steve Nicholls sponsored by Alison Hoy of Berry Smith. After the sail, participants were invited to the Dock in Cardiff Bay for a buffet, generously donated raffle prizes and a celebration to mark the success of the day.

Cardiff RNLI chairman Colin Lyons said:

‘Every year this event goes from strength to strength with more and more yachts and corporate sponsors offering their support. The aim of the event is simple; to make as much as we can for the RNLI, one of the best charities in the world.  Our grateful thanks go to the boat owners from Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, Penarth Marina. Penarth & Cardiff Yacht Clubs  and Cardiff Marina providing their boats freely so that the sponsors can have an enjoyable day sailing in the Bristol Channel’

RNLI Community Fundraising Manager Jen Abell said:

‘The incredible effort put in by everyone who participates in the Cardiff Sail Day is of huge support to the RNLI and indeed one of our largest fundraising events in south Wales.’

If you would like to participate in next year’s event, please contact the RNLI’s Community Support Team on ‪0300 300 9901‬‬

RNLI media contact
For more information please telephone Penarth Lifeboat Press Officer Andy Berry on 07951 051128.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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.