Over £6,000 raised for the RNLI thanks to Cornish rugby star

Over 100,000 pints of the Cousin Jack Ale raised £6,350.40 for the RNLI through the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust.

The traditional Cornish Pale Ale, which was crafted on St Austell Brewery’s Small Batch, launched in January to coincide with the start of the Six Nations Rugby tournament, with 5p from every pint going to the RNLI.

Rising rugby star Jack Nowell, who was recently named on the forthcoming British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, became St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust ambassador in 2016. Jack’s father is a trawlerman and the family have had a close connection with their local Penlee RNLI lifeboat for many years.

Jack said: 'A big thank you to everyone who enjoyed a pint of Cousin Jack. It’s a great amount raised for the RNLI through the Charitable Trust, thanks to this success I hope we can make it a yearly event.'

Community Fundraising Manager at the RNLI Ellie Walker said: 'The RNLI is delighted that St Austell Brewery and Jack Nowell have supported the charity in such a fantastic way, the Cousin Jack beer has been hugely successful and an enjoyable venture for everyone.

'Jack is a great ambassador for the RNLI and St Austell Brewery, we’re very lucky to have their support and we’re very much looking forward to working with them again in the future.'

The ale, which was sold in pubs throughout the Westcountry, sold over double the amount anticipated by the Brewery, making the beer a real success.

Martin Breading, National Sales Director for St Austell Brewery, said: 'We were delighted when Jack chose to support the RNLI through the Cousin Jack beer, and the success of it has been phenomenal. The sales far exceeded our expectations and we hope to do something similar next year to continue raising money for charities through our charitable trust.'

The funds from the beer will be used for vital training and equipping the RNLI’s volunteer crews.

Ellie added: 'The £6350.40 raised is truly phenomenal and will directly support the RNLI’s lifesaving work in the South West.'

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.