Help! Beatles tribute band send out a ‘Mayday’ for the RNLI
Beatles tribute band Made in Liverpool swapped their yellow submarine for yellow wellies to show their support for the (RNLI’s) Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Mayday campaign, the charity’s annual national fundraising event which is calling out for people to ‘Do your bit, fund our kit’.
It was a hard day’s night, as the fab four took to the stage in bright yellow wellies at the Beatles Story* in Liverpool and belted out some rousing tunes to encourage the public to support Mayday, which is raising funds for crucial RNLI kit for the charity’s brave volunteer lifeboat crews.
Worn by generations of crews to grip the deck in slippery conditions, the iconic yellow wellies keep crew safe and steady on stormy seas.
Richard Wynne from Made in Liverpool, resident Beatles tribute band at the Cavern Club, comments: ‘It was a huge honour to don the RNLI’s yellow wellies. We couldn’t perform without our drum kit and guitars, and the RNLI’s volunteers couldn’t save lives at sea without their yellow wellies and the rest of their lifesaving kit. So, we’d encourage everyone to visit RNLI.org/Mayday to see how they can support the RNLI’s Mayday campaign.’
Mayday distress calls can come in any time, day or night, 365 days a year, with 4,800 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.
Dave Milner from The Beatles Story, said: ‘It was a great experience to welcome Made in Liverpool to our attraction and to see them wearing the RNLI’s yellow wellies. Quite a few visitors stopped to ask the band about their bright new footwear! I’m really proud that our venue was able to provide such a striking backdrop for the charity’s lifesaving Mayday campaign.’
Chloe Shore, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, said: ‘Our crews rely on lifesaving kit, like their yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets, when they go out in all weathers to save lives at sea. 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.
Chloe continued: ‘In 2016 RNLI lifeboat crews launched 8,851 times, rescuing 8,643 people and saving 431 lives. RNLI volunteers provide a vital lifeline on Wirral and indeed around the rest of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. All money raised by Mayday will ensure that our crews have the essential kit to enable them to continue saving lives at sea.’
The RNLI has three lifeboat stations on Wirral, at Hoylake, West Kirby and New Brighton. Last year the volunteer crews from these stations rescued 38 people, ensuring that they could be reunited with their families and loved ones.
Mayday fundraising events are taking place right across the UK and Ireland, many with a yellow welly theme. To find a Mayday event near you, or to download a fundraising pack, visit RNLI.org/Mayday.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer North on 07824 518641 or at: [email protected] or, Luke Blissett, RNLI Public Relations Officer on: 01202 663184 or at: [email protected]
RNLI Picture credits
Please credit Mark Bickerdike for all the attached photos.
Notes to Editors
· RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any emergency at sea.
· With an average of 24 callouts a day, there's most likely an RNLI lifeboat out on a rescue right now.
· For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press
· About The Beatles Story attraction: The award-winning Beatles Story is the world's largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles. Located in the Fab Four’s hometown of Liverpool on the stunning UNESCO World heritage site at the Albert Dock, the Beatles Story takes visitors on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles. For more information visit www.beatlesstory.com
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.