Portsmouth's Emirates Spinnaker Tower turns bright yellow in support of RNLI

The celebrated landmark, will throw a yellow reflection over Gunwharf Quays and Portsmouth Harbour entrance for the special occasion, creating a striking backdrop on waters synonymous with a rich naval history and, of course, the hundreds of rescues carried out by the local RNLI lifeboat station over the years.

Saturday 20 May will also see four RNLI volunteer crew members from the Portsmouth Lifeboat Station abseiling down the Spinnaker Tower at around 4pm. The weekend will also see the Portsmouth and Hayling Island Lifeboats take part in the RNLI Mayday Welly Relay, which sees an iconic yellow RNLI welly travelling around the UK coast from Portishead Lifeboat Station to Harwich Lifeboat Station. In all it will pass through 65 lifeboat stations in the South West, South and South East.

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.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower General Manager, Tony Sammut said: ‘We are delighted to support this year’s Mayday campaign by turning the Emirates Spinnaker Tower yellow on the evening of Saturday 20 May. 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 in Portsmouth, one of the world’s most famous ports.’

Mayday distress calls can come in any time, day or night, 365 days a year, and the RNLI has 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.

Roseanne Blaze, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager, 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 register for 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.

Roseanne continued: ‘Our lifeboat crews at Portsmouth RNLI Lifeboat Station launched 111 times in 2016, making it the third busiest coastal lifeboat station last year. They rescued 125 people and saved 35 lives.’

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 register for a fundraising pack, visit RNLI.org/Mayday

-ENDS-

Press Contacts:

Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer, on 0207 6207416 or 07786 668825 or [email protected]. Alternatively, contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Aaron Gent, Portsmouth Lifeboat Station Press Officer: 07947 537108

RNLI notes to editors

· RNLI lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any emergency at sea.

· With an average of 24 callouts a day, there's most likely an RNLI lifeboat out on a rescue right now.

· For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press

Emirates Spinnaker Tower notes to editors

The Emirates Spinnaker Tower visitor attraction business is owned by Heritage Projects (Portsmouth) Ltd., part of Continuum Attractions. The building was built and is owned by Portsmouth City Council. A 5 year sponsorship deal for the Tower naming rights was agreed between Portsmouth City Council and Emirates Airlines in June 2015.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower is part of the World Federation of Great Towers, working in partnership with 49 other viewing towers worldwide.

Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily. Admission prices from 01 February 2017: Adults £10.50, Children £8.50, Concessions £9.50, Family: £34. Book online for a 10% discount at www.spinnakertower.co.uk. Discounts are also available for local residents.