Coca-Cola London Eye shines yellow in support of the RNLI's Mayday campaign
One of London’s most celebrated landmarks lit up bright yellow this May Bank Holiday Monday as a badge of support for Mayday, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s annual national fundraiser, which is calling on people to ‘Do your bit, fund our kit’.
The Coca-Cola London Eye threw a yellow reflection on the Thames last night, creating a striking backdrop on the very water where the RNLI has three London-based lifeboat stations – at Tower, Chiswick and Teddington.
While the charity is best known for saving lives at sea, the RNLI keeps Londoners safe on the River Thames too. In fact, with 512 launches in 2016, Tower Lifeboat Station at Victoria Embankment is the RNLI’s busiest station.
Through Mayday, the lifesaving charity is raising funds for the crucial kit that brave volunteer crew members rely on, like lifejackets, helmets and the RNLI’s iconic yellow wellies.
Coca-Cola London Eye General Manager, Sunny Jouhal, said: ‘We are delighted to support this year’s Mayday campaign by turning the Coca-Cola London Eye yellow. Helping to raise awareness and funds for the RNLI’s crucial kit is a worthy cause, and one that is particularly appropriate for us given our location on the bank of the River Thames in the heart of the capital.’
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.
Cub Llewelyn-Davies, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for London, said: ‘Our crews rely on lifesaving kit, like their yellow wellies, lifejackets and helmets, when they go out in all weathers to save lives. 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 the month of 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.
Cub Llewelyn-Davies continued: ‘Our lifeboat crews in London launched 758 times, rescuing 195 people and saving 32 lives last year. Londoners might be surprised to learn that the RNLI’s busiest station is Tower Lifeboat Station based next to Waterloo Bridge and a stone’s throw from the London Eye, right here in the middle of London.’
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.
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.