Shanty group’s donation closes Falmouth RNLI Appeal

The cheque was presented to Falmouth RNLI Appeal Deputy Chair Paul Wickes and Falmouth RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer Simon Culliford. Speaking after the presentation Paul said: ‘Simon and I were delighted to receive the cheque donation of £1,000 to the Falmouth RNLI Appeal from Falmouth Shout. This is the last donation to the Appeal which is now officially closed and it is very fitting that Falmouth Shout presented the last cheque because they have been such amazing supporters of the RNLI over the years, so we are very grateful to them. Indeed we should all remember that Falmouth Shout created the international Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival which also raises funds every year for the RNLI, so thank you Falmouth Shout. When the Appeal Committee members and I put the Appeal together just over a year ago we had the ambition of raising £100,000 towards the refurbishment costs of Falmouth Lifeboat Station to house the new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat when it arrives in Falmouth next year. We had no idea how the Appeal would progress, but after this evening we can now officially declare the Falmouth RNLI Appeal has raised a staggering £130,000. The contributions have largely come from local people, to whom we are immensely grateful, without whose help the Appeal would not have succeeded, so thank you Falmouth and friends, one and all. We can all now look forward to Falmouth RNLI being better equipped to support local and visiting mariners and I know the committee members are all humbled and privileged to have been able to support such a worthy good cause.’

Falmouth Shout was formed 17 years ago by former Falmouth RNLI Coxswain Alan Barnes MBE and other volunteers at the station at that time. Alan, who is also the shanty group’s chairman, said: ‘We are a group of friends who enjoy singing and although some people have moved on for various reasons, many of the original members are still with us. Over the years we have raised a considerable amount of money for the RNLI, one of two charities that we like to support, the other being the Mission for Fishermen at Newlyn.’

Notes to editors

• The photo shows Simon Culliford, Falmouth RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (left) holding the cheque with Paul Wickes, Falmouth RNLI Appeal Deputy Chair (right) and members of Falmouth Shout shanty group. Credit: Paul Richards, PR4Photos
  

• The Falmouth RNLI Appeal was launched in March 2017 with the aim of raising money towards the cost of alterations and improvements needed at the lifeboat station ahead of the arrival of their new Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat.

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For more information please contact: Simon Culliford, RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07971986978, [email protected]; or Emma Haines Regional Media Officer on 07786 668847, [email protected] ; or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.

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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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