Sunderland school pupils raise lifesaving amount for RNLI

The lifesaving donation was raised by children from the school’s Events Team.

Across the year pupils from the team organise a series of fundraising initiatives such as movie afternoons and non-uniform days.

The money raised by these events is then donated to a charity. The children select several charities that they would like the money to go to and present their choices to the School Council for the final decision.

This year the pupils have benefited from RNLI water safety lessons delivered by the charity’s lifeguards.

Following these workshops the school decided to donate its impressive fundraising total to the RNLI. The children felt that it was important to help the charity to continue its lifesaving work not just at sea but also in the classroom.

During the safety presentations the children learnt key water safety messages in a fun and interactive manner. They found out how to spot potential hidden dangers around open water, what to do in an emergency and how to raise the alarm.

The RNLI has particular significance for one Grange Park family who tragically lost their son Liam Hall last year, when he got into difficulty in the sea at Roker.

Liam’s mother, Sarah Hall, whose daughter Olivia is a Year Five pupil at the school said: ‘The RNLI do a fantastic job and I could not be more supportive of the school’s choice of recipient.’

RNLI Lifeguard supervisor, Nick Campbell (who accepted the cheque) said: ‘This is such a generous donation and we’re immensely grateful for all the hard work and dedication that the school has put in to raise it.

‘Such vital donations enable our charity to continue saving lives at sea. They also ensure that we can continue our preventative work, educating the next generation of beach users in how to respect the sea in a safe but enjoyable manner.’

RNLI Picture caption

The photo shows school pupils Tom, Enoch and Elle presenting their cheque to RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor, Nick Campbell (centre) and fellow RNLI lifeguards. Photo credit: Grange Park Primary School.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer North East and East on 07824 518614 or at [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 146,000 lives.

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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.