‘Crafty’ Anne is raising vital funds for Workington RNLI’s Shannon appeal

The design features elements of the UK shipping forecast and the letters ‘RNLI’ depicted in maritime message flags.

It has been painstakingly created by Anne Nichol, a librarian originally from Workington, and is being raffled in memory of her father Colin Nichol. Colin’s partner, Kath, has also embroidered two bespoke pillow cases which are part of the online raffle.

Anne Nichol explained: ‘My father was a keen sailor, he owned his own boat and loved being out on the water. He died in 2015 and I promised that I would make a quilt in his memory and donate it to the RNLI. My dad always had extra peace of mind knowing that should he ever get in trouble at sea, the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew would be there to help.

‘Workington RNLI is also close to my heart. I went out on the station’s all-weather lifeboat when I was doing my Duke of Edinburgh award in the 1970s. The memory of the kindness of the crew has always stayed with me and it was an inspirational trip.

‘The quilt took me six months to make and every stitch has proved to be worth it as it’s bringing in vital money to the lifeboat station’s Shannon appeal. It means the world to me that people really appear to love the design and seem keen to win the raffle!’

Tim Chittenden, Workington RNLI’s Volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: ‘Anne’s quilt has proved a real talking point at the lifeboat station as it is so beautifully crafted and everyone wants it in their house!

‘We can’t thank Anne enough for the time and effort she put into making the quilt. It seems a fitting tribute to her late father that the raffle will provide an invaluable contribution to our Shannon appeal as well as the next chapter of lifesaving in Workington.’

The raffle and Anne’s quilt (which has been designed so that it can also be used as a wall hanging) is viewable at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Anne-Nichol2

The closing date is Thursday 30 March 2017 and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer North on: 07824 518641 or at [email protected]

RNLI Picture captions

The photographs show Anne Nichol’s nautical quilt and Kath’s pillow cases. Photo credit: Anne Nichol.

Notes to editors

The Shannon class lifeboat:

· The Shannon class lifeboat is the first modern RNLI all-weather lifeboat to be powered by water jets and not propellers.

· Capable of 25 knots the Shannon is 50% faster than the lifeboats it replaces – ensuring that those in need are reached even faster.

· The Shannon is the RNLI’s next generation all-weather lifeboat and is the most agile in the fleet.

Workington RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat appeal:

· Workington’s current all-weather Tyne class lifeboat Sir John Fisher, is nearing the end of her operational life. She is set to be replaced by the newest member of the RNLI fleet, a Shannon class lifeboat.

· In June 2016, Workington RNLI launched an appeal to raise £150,000 towards the cost of a new state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat.

· The total cost of Workington RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat is £2Million. It will be part-funded as follows:

By a generous legacy in excess of £1Million from the late Mrs.Dorothy May White. Dorothy, a long-time supporter of the RNLI, came from Birmingham and died in February 2012. Workington RNLI’s Shannon will be named Dorothy May White in her memory.

A donation of £500,000 from The Sir John Fisher Foundation. The Sir John Fisher Foundation is a charitable trust established in 1980 by Sir John and Lady Maria Fisher. The Foundation's objective is to distribute its income to charitable causes throughout the UK, but with special regard to those based in and working for the benefit of people living in and around Barrow-in-Furness and surrounding area.

From accrued donations from numerous RNLI supporters (the Workington Shannon was also the recipient of an RNLI Summer Appeal mailing).

The RNLI looks forward to the appeal raising the remaining £150,000.

How to donate to Workington RNLI’s Shannon class appeal:

• Text RNLI WORKINGTON to 70300 and donate £5 to the RNLI.
  
  
  
• Texts will cost the phone owner a standard network message rate in addition to the £5 donation. The RNLI receives 100% of the £5 donation. The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Registered charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland.

Donations can also be made via Just Giving at: http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/rnli/workingtonshannonlifeboatappeal

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.

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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.