It's a supermarket sweep for Ramsgate RNLI!

Each year the Co-op supermarket asks its members to nominate via its website for a local cause. After supporting documentation is received three local causes are allocated a couple of Co-op sites and 1% of every £1 spent on Co-op branded goods in those stores are donated to the members choice.

Ramsgate's fundraising Chairman, who shops locally with the Co-op, made the application and was allocated the Co-op in Grange Rd, the Funeral parlour in Ramsgate as well as the petrol station in Minister.

The appeal is for a whole year from October 2017 and recently the coxswain and his crew, supporters and fund raisers went along to be presented with the cheque for £5,382.50 by the store manager.

However that wasn’t all. One the staff members was tasked, as part of his role development , to become involved with the nominated causes. He arranged two information days at the store with an RNLI table manned by staff and volunteers.

Then on the day the crew visited, he organised a cake sale and the proceeds from these events raised a further £131.37 thanks to their very customers.

'Without generous donations such as this it would be impossible for us to carry on saving lives at sea,' said Ramsgate Lifeboat Press Officer Karen Cox. 'The RNLI doesn't receive any funding from government, so it's great to see such support from local people. With Christmas coming our crew will be on their pagers all over the holidays and it's a great comfort to know the work we do is appreciated.'

Ends

Media Contacts:

Karen Cox Volunteer Press Officer email [email protected] (07779 )848431

Paul Dunt Regional Media Officer London and South East [email protected] tel (07785) 296252

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.