RNLI launches appeal to fund 2018 lifeguard season on Cromer beaches
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has launched an appeal to fund the cost of providing its ‘gold standard’ lifeguard service on Cromer’s beaches in the 2018 summer season.
The charity that saves lives at sea has operated lifeguards at two beaches in Cromer for many years, but this is the first time it has launched a dedicated public appeal to fund the service.
RNLI lifeguards receive world class training and equipment, are taught a variety of life-saving techniques and have advanced first aid skills and a detailed knowledge of the local risks and hazards at each of the beaches they patrol.
Clad in their distinctive red and yellow uniforms, RNLI lifeguards took nearly 10,000 preventative actions during the 2016 summer season at Cromer, advising people about dangers, encouraging swimmers to stay between the yellow and red flags, helping reunite lost children with their parents and providing first aid to people.
Now, in the wake of statistics showing nearly 80,000 people visited Cromer’s beaches in 2016, the RNLI aims to raise £32,000 to train and equip lifeguards.
Sam Kendrick – RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor said: ‘Cromer has a beautiful beach enjoyed by so many people in the local community and beyond. The RNLI is fortunate to enjoy huge support from the public, but we are keen to fund next year’s service in advance, hence we are launching this public appeal.
‘Our lifeguards are highly skilled and undergo a rigorous programme of training so they are ready to help prevent incidents and to respond rapidly if people get into difficulty in the water. A key part of their work is prevention, so they will be asking people to respect the water and will be offering advice on how to stay safe by learning about currents, tides and other local dangers.’
Ben Long, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, said: ‘RNLI lifeguards are often the first people on the scene when things go wrong, they receive first class training and equipment which enables them to save lives at sea – none of this would be possible without help from the public.’
To find out more about the RNLI’s lifeguard service, or to donate to the appeal, visit https://rnli.org/support-us/give-money/give-to-a-special-appeal/cromer-lifeguard-appeal or contact Ben Long – Community Fundraising Manager on 07557 191872, [email protected]
RNLI media contacts
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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
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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.