Weymouth’s Jurassic Skyline to light up yellow in support of Mayday campaign
One of Dorset’s most celebrated landmarks will light up bright yellow this evening (Tuesday May 16) as a badge of support for Mayday, the RNLI’s annual national fundraiser, which is calling on people to ‘Do your bit, fund our kit’.
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.
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. Last year (2016) Weymouth Lifeboat Station was the 20th busiest station across the UK and Ireland.
Carolyn Field, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager for Weymouth said: ‘Our lifeboat crews in Weymouth launched 79 times during 2016, rescuing 99 people. 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 during this May Day Campaign, which is running for the whole of this month.
Visit RNLI.org/Mayday to register for a free 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.
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 free fundraising pack, visit RNLI.org/Mayday
RNLI notes to editors
- Any media wanting to attend the event should meet at the Jurassic Skyline at around 8.45pm. The Jurassic Skyline will light up at around 9pm.
- Two low res images attached to give you an idea of what to expect. Hi res images of the event to be sent out on Wednesday.
- 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.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Press Officer Carrie Garrad on [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].
RNLI online
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.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 142,200 lives.
Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland and registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736)
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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.