Donate now

6 year-olds remarkable support for Eastbourne RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Like all young children Cavendish schoolboy James Williams was looking forward to his sixth birthday. Friends and family were amazed however when he announced that he didn’t want presents but wanted to make a donation to Eastbourne lifeboats instead.

6 year old supporter presents his birthday money to Eastbourne lifeboats

RNLI/Bob Jeffery

James with mum Lucy present cheque to the volunteer crew
Download image
This remarkable gesture from lifeboat fan James prompted overwhelming support from friends and family which including a donation of £100 from the Rotary club of Sovereign Harbour, resulted in a total of £475 being collected. On his birthday James was treated to a conducted tour of Eastbourne lifeboat and on Sunday (5 March) had the opportunity to meet the volunteer crew and present a cheque to Coxswain Mark Sawyer. In accepting the cheque Mark said the whole crew were overwhelmed at the generosity of such a young supporter and that the money would go towards their equipment which is so vital to the continuation of their work of saving lives at sea.

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.

About the author

Bob Jeffery Volunteer Press Officer Eastbourne Lifeboats

Categories