RNLI lifeguards in South Shields make a big splash with a sponsored swim
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards in South Shields made a big splash recently when they took part in a sponsored swim for the lifesaving charity and raised over £1,200.
The swim took place on Monday 22 August and the charity’s lifeguards are now celebrating after smashing their initial fundraising target of £500.
RNLI lifeguards Drew Davis, Graeme Ahmed and Joe Mitchell swam approximately two and half miles between South Shields Pier and Marsden Bay to raise the vital funds. They completed their swim in just over an hour.
Safety cover for the event was provided by off-duty RNLI lifeguards who volunteered their time to keep watch over the fundraising trio in the RNLI’s inshore rescue boat.
RNLI lifeguard Drew Davis, said: ‘The RNLI has such generous supporters who ensure that we are able to continue our lifesaving work - we decided that we also wanted to give something back to the charity.
‘As RNLI lifeguards we see first-hand how every penny is put to good use from providing us with lifesaving equipment for our beach patrols through to funding our educational school visits to ensure that the next generation of beach users grow up to respect the water.
‘We’re delighted that we’ve exceeded our fundraising target and would like to thank everyone who sponsored our swim and cheered us on.’
For information on how to fundraise or support the RNLI please visit: www.rnli.org.uk
RNLI Picture caption
The photograph shows RNLI lifeguards (from left to right) Joe Mitchell, Graeme Ahmed and Drew Davis.
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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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