Successful RNLI fundraising scheme created by beach hire owner in Looe

The proprietor, Simon Lawes, noticed that many visitors to the beach had either not purchased beach items, such as buckets and spades and body boards, or simply discarded their equipment at the end of the day on the beach.

Therefore Simon decided to set up several large buckets outside his hire shop, each of which contained a range of beach items, along with a notice offering the equipment on loan for the day in return for a donation to the Looe RNLI lifeboat station.

Although he has only started running the scheme during the summer months, Simon, his wife Helen and son Matthew have already generated almost £500 in donations for the charity.

When asked why he had set up the scheme, Simon said: 'It was a light bulb moment, totally out of the blue. However it has been well received and I imagine the scheme could be replicated at many other beaches.'

Simon is a keen boater and member of the local boat club, and although he has not had to call on their services, he is grateful to the RNLI volunteers for their selflessness in saving lives at sea.

Note to editors

The enclosed photo shows Black Rock Beach Hire owner Simon Lawes and wife Helen with the fundraising equipment. Please credit RNLI/Looe.

Thanks to your support our lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 558 lives in 2016. Whether organising an event in your local community or becoming a volunteer there are many ways to the support the RNLI to save lives at sea. You can find out more about the charity’s vital work and how you can help to support it at RNLI.org/support-us

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Chris Roy, Looe Lifeboat Fundraising Press Officer, at [email protected] or on 07840 777 293.

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.