RNLI Mayday heroes make a splash at Surf Snowdonia

The RNLI asked supporters to join them at Surf Snowdonia dressed as their favourite legend and take part in the first ever inland Big Mayday Dip to support the charity’s national fundraising campaign and raise funds to buy kit for volunteer lifeboat crew members by ‘dipping’ into the surf lagoon on Sunday morning (21 May).

The RNLI’s Mayday campaign began on Monday 1 May and runs for the whole month, with fundraising events taking place across the UK and Ireland. This year, the RNLI hopes to raise £750,000 through Mayday, which will be used to fund essential kit for the charity’s brave volunteer lifeboat crews.

Deb Mahon, Community Fundraising Manager said: ‘We were delighted that so many families came to support the Big Mayday Dip at Surf Snowdonia not only to help raise funds for the RNLI but also to learn more about water safety. Seeing families dressed as their favourite legend and getting into the spirit of Mayday is fantastic and once again the people of north Wales have truly embraced the spirit of fundraising in aid of the RNLI. We are delighted that Surf Snowdonia helped bring this event to north Wales and both partners share the ethos that water safety is the number one priority’.

Nikki Jones, Surf Snowdonia’s Events Co-ordinator said ‘We were thrilled to work with the RNLI and help host their first ever inland dip! We feel very strongly about water safety and know the importance of educating people so our partnership worked well. We look forward to working with the RNLI again and seeing this event grow.’

The RNLI is asking people to ‘do your bit, fund our kit’ this Mayday and anyone who wishes to get involved with the Mayday in the future can contact the RNLI on [email protected]

The charity is also encouraging people to show their support and join the conversation, by using the hashtag #MaydayEveryDay, donating online or buying a yellow welly pin badge to show their support.

Last year, RNLI lifeboat crews in Wales launched 1,185 times, rescuing 1,162 people and saved 73 lives.

Notes to editors:

The attached pictures, which should be credited to Stewart Mackellar Photography, show:

- Superheroes raising money for the RNLI's Mayday campaign at Surf Snowdonia

- Susan Davidson as Lady Gaga and RNLI mascot Stormy Stan mingling with the Surf Snowdonia surfers

- Tudur Roberts with youngsters Shona and Mia braving the waters in full costume

- Even the youngest fundraisers got into the spirit of the occasion

RNLI media contacts

For more information, please contact Eleri Roberts, RNLI PR Manager on 01745 585162 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, call the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789 or email [email protected].

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 142,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.