Full House for Bembridge RNLI's 'Yellow Welly Week' All-Weather Lifeboat launch

On Tuesday afternoon (29 May 2018), we welcomed 5 year William, who with his parents had walked from Sandown to Bembridge is support of Bembridge RNLI. Not only is he to be congratulated on successfully completing the walk, particularly in his 'yellow wellies', but also for the fact that he has raised over £1,000 in sponsorship money. Just amazing and further donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/Fwilliamsyellowwellywalk On reaching Bembridge on Tuesday afternoon his treat was to be shown round both RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat 16-17) and RNLB Norman Harvey (D-Class ILB D-778) by the Station's Press Officer, Mike Samuelson who said:

'William is quite amazing and we are indebted to him for his fund raising initiatives. His knowledge of the RNLI is extraordinary for a 5 year old and as for his knowledge about what the Lifeguard flags and safety signs mean, well it is extraordinary. He is a very special little boy.'

William and his parents subsequently returned to the Offshore Boathouse where they joined a packed house for the evening training launch of RNLB Alfred Albert Williams. After launching she linked up with one of Hovertravel's cross-Solent hovercraft, 'Solent Flyer', which was used for the training and demonstration exercise and included some very successful towing training just off the boathouse. On completion she was recovered and the crew then joined visitors and guild members in the Inshore Boathouse for a 'sausage sizzle'.

As a coincidence one of the visitors to the Station that day was Julie Rainey - our South East Regional Media Manager who e-mailed the following day

'I thought you might be joking about how busy it was going to be but when we pulled up in the (overflow) car park, kids were literally sprinting from their cars towards the station. It felt like a big Wembley gig when the boat finally launched! I know you were telling us about legendary Bembridge water but, frankly, if I could bottle the station’s enthusiasm, wow! Honestly a brilliant visit and evenings like that give us a real boost when we’re wading through the in-tray. Thanks to you and your team for reminding us why we do it.'

RNLI media contacts

Mike Samuelson, Bembridge RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07785 593254 or [email protected]

Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825 [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.