Thousands flocked to Hoylake Promenade to support Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI
The total raised throughout the Open Day which took place on bank holiday Monday is expected to be approximately £20 000. Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI wish to thank all those who attended their annual Open Day in Hoylake for their generous support.
The sun was shining and temperatures reached 23°C as an estimated 10 000 people enjoyed the various attractions. Dozens of exhibitors and stall holders lined Hoylake promenade, the Northern Kite Group took over the beach and families enjoyed fairground attractions, games stalls and plenty of ice cream.
Nearly 2000 people took the opportunity to step aboard RNLI Hoylake’s Shannon class lifeboat which was positioned by the slipway adjacent to the original lifeboat station, now lifeboat museum.
RNLI Hoylake station’s hovercraft performed several demonstrations along the beach throughout the day waving at the crowds as they passed. RNLI West Kirby station displayed their highly manoeuvrable D class inshore lifeboat.
Also present were RNLI Wirral lifeguards and the RNLI’s Face to Face Team, all of whom were pleased to talk with members of the public about the vital role the RNLI plays helping to ensure that people are safe in the water.
Hoylake’s modern lifeboat station was open to the public where home-made sandwiches, cakes and refreshments were on sale as well as RNLI souvenirs.
RNLI Hoylake is one of the oldest stations on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland and has played a vital role in the community for over 200 years. RNLI West Kirby was established more recently in 1966 and the two stations have often worked together to rescue casualties in distress.
Organiser Carole Jackson said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the amount raised on Monday. It is always really heart-warming to see how much support there is in the local community for the RNLI. Happily, the weather was on our side too and everybody had a wonderful day in the sunshine!’
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution relies entirely on donations from the public in order to continue saving lives at sea. Events such as this are vital to raise funds to keep the charity running, as well as spreading awareness of water safety. The annual Open Day also helps to raise the profile of the RNLI in the community, from which it draws all its crew volunteers. These crew are highly trained and ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice assist a casualty in need of help along the beach or out at sea.
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Victoria Phipps, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07709 391253.
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.