West end stars stomp in to support the RNLI’s Mayday campaign

London’s STOMP cast showed off their dramatic moves, replicating iconic scenes from the show, in bright yellow wellies to help raise awareness for Mayday, which is raising funds for crucial RNLI kit for brave volunteer lifeboat crews.

Worn by generations of volunteer lifeboat crews to grip the deck in slippery conditions, the yellow wellies keep crew safe and steady on stormy seas, with reinforced toecaps to protect their feet.

STOMP performer Serena Morgan, said:

‘I enjoyed wearing the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies so much, that I wanted to take them home with me! It’s easy to forget how important water safety is and how valuable RNLI volunteer crew members are, so we want to inspire people to raise as much money for the charity as they can. I encourage everyone to visit RNLI.org/Mayday to see how they can support the campaign.’

Mayday distress calls can come in any time, day or night, 365 days a year, with 4,700 volunteer crew members from 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland on standby to drop everything in an instant to save lives at sea.

Cub Llewelyn-Davies, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for London, said:

'Our crews rely on lifesaving kit, like their yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets, when they go out in all weathers to save lives. From sponsored bike rides and welly walks, to running a bake sale, there are all sorts of ways to raise money for the RNLI this Mayday. Visit RNLI.org/Mayday to download a fundraising pack and see how you can do your bit to fund our kit.’

The RNLI’s Mayday campaign runs throughout May and aims to raise £750,000 to fund lifesaving kit for the charity’s brave volunteer crews. A crew member’s yellow wellies cost £54 a pair, a lifejacket costs £458 and a safety helmet costs £263.

The RNLI has three London-based lifeboat stations on the River Thames – Tower, Chiswick and Teddington. With 512 launches in 2016, Tower Lifeboat Station at Victoria Embankment is the RNLI’s busiest station.

Cub Llewelyn-Davies continued:

‘Our lifeboat crews in London launched 758 times, rescuing 195 people and saving 32 lives last year. Londoners might be surprised to learn that the RNLI’s busiest station is Tower Lifeboat Station based next to Waterloo Bridge right here in the heart of London.’

Mayday fundraising events are taking place right across the UK and Ireland, many with a yellow welly theme. On Tuesday 25 April, RNLI volunteer fundraisers will be out in force across London with collection buckets at many of the capital’s train stations, raising vital funds for Mayday.

To find a Mayday event near you, or to download a fundraising pack, visit RNLI.org/Mayday.

For more information please contact Luke Blissett, RNLI PR Officer, on 01202 663184 / [email protected].

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.