RNLI makes its mark at Isle of Wight's County Show
The RNLI was well represented at the Isle of Wight’s County Show yesterday (Sunday), with crew and visits team members from the Cowes lifeboat station, Guild members from Bembridge station, and a representative of the charity’s nationwide Lifeguard operat
In addition there was a D-Class lifeboat, provided by the East Cowes-based Inshore Lifeboat Centre.
To further raise the charity’s profile, an RNLI team won a Wight Fibre-sponsored rock-climbing contest in the main ring, involving eight teams from a variety of organisations. Their prize was £300 for the charity.
And later in the day crew member Dominic Roberton became the centre of attention when passers-by were invited to each cut small bunches of his long auburn hair, which had not been cut for nine years. Dominic, a structural engineer with a firm of naval architects, planned to donate the hair to an alopecia charity, and divide cash donations between the RNLI and NileSwimmers Org, a charity that seeks to reduce the number of drownings in Africa.
One of the people to wield the scissors, and give a handsome donation, was Maj Gen Martin White, the Island’s Lord Lieutenant and President of the Royal IW County Agricultural Society.
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.