Sink your teeth into the RNLI’s fishy fundraiser

The campaign is in honour of lifeboat crew who miss meal times and special occasions with loved ones to save lives at sea.

The event, which took place last night at Terry’s on Pier Road, raised £604 for the RNLI, through ticket sales and a tombola and raffle, and now the fundraisers are inviting you to take part in your own Fish Supper.

The charity is encouraging people across the UK and the Republic of Ireland to have some fun this autumn, by hosting a fish-themed dinner between 14–16 October 2016, to help raise funds for the lifesaving charity.

It’s a great opportunity to get together with family and friends to enjoy anything from fish finger sandwiches to a fancy lobster thermidor. Guests are invited to make a donation to the RNLI, whilst the host cooks up a storm. All proceeds from Fish Supper will help provide the best equipment and training for RNLI volunteers.

The RNLI’s fish-themed annual fundraiser aims to raise awareness of crew who drop everything ­– even weddings, birthdays and births – to venture into often dangerous waters to rescue people who have found themselves in difficulty.

Mike Russell Coxswain of Whitby Lifeboat said: 'Many thanks to Terry Franklyn who kindly hosted last night’s fish supper, a brilliant amount of money was raised and we’d like to thank everyone who took part and donated. It would be fantastic to see some more people getting involved in the campaign and seeing what fishy dishes they come up with!'

The importance of togetherness and team spirit is at the heart of the RNLI and is what makes the charity and its volunteers so special. In 2015, RNLI lifeboats launched on 8,228 services around the UK and Ireland, rescued 7,973 people and saved 348 lives. RNLI volunteer crew members missed nearly 7,000* meals to rescue people in need of assistance.

For a free fundraising pack and more information, visit RNLI.org/FishSupper. The site contains recipes, party game ideas and place name cards to help the evening go swimmingly.

The main weekend for holding a Fish Supper is between 14–16 October, however events can be held at any time. The RNLI is asking for donations to be sent in to the charity by 26 November.

Picture: Fundraiser John Walker, Terry Franklyn owner of Terry's fish restaurant, Keith Swales who provided entertainment and fundraiser John Ogden at the Friends of Whitby Lifeboat Fish Supper which raised £604 for the RNLI. Ceri Oakes/RNLI

For more information please contact Ceri Oakes, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07813359428

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.