Bangers and mash for three at Rye Harbour

Hosted by Rye Harbour station, they were reviving a local tradition of gathering in turn on each other's home turf to enjoy a meal together, yes, but more than that, to raise money for local charities and to build and strengthen bonds between them which might prove crucial when the crews are working at together saving lives at sea.

Rye Harbour crew member Joseph Brown, master-mind of the event and chef for the evening, explained: 'It was a good evening for the RNLI to give something back to the community that gives so much to us '.

This year, £355 was raised to support the Oliver Curd Trust, a charity celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and which provides holiday accommodation to families affected by childhood cancer and other life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. 'This is a cause,' Joseph affirmed, 'close to all our hearts '.

As well as the bangers and mash (sausages kindly donated by Broad Oak Bangers and the Runcible Spoon), there was friendly competition for a games' trophy awarded for darts, shove ha’penny, pool, indoor horse-racing and even a very lively ‘snap’ contest. The winning team: The Other Halves (wives and partners of the crew members).

The early twentieth century US presidential adviser Booker T. Washington once observed: 'Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others', a truth clearly borne out by these volunteer lifeboat crews coming together to support a fellow charity.

RNLI Media contacts

• Martin Bruce, Rye Harbour RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer (07789) 818878 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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.