Four events in one day keep Ramsgate RNLI fundraisers busy

The mammoth day started with a presentation of recognition and thanks to John Ray, who stepped down as volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer earlier in the year. The presentation was made by the fundraising team for all of his support over the past eleven years of service. He is not retiring completely as he will continue as Station Archivist and with his wife Vanessa will continue with their Educational role reaching out to local schools.

The day then continued with a visit by the RNLI 911 Challenge team in the form of James and Belinda Richardson and their Porsche 911. James and Belinda were nearing the end of their challenge to drive around all 238 RNLI lifeboat stations in England and Ireland anti-clockwise in 911 hours.

Having started at 9.11am on 23 August at Teddington lifeboat station, their epic journey came to an end on Sunday 30 September when they reached Tower Lifeboat Station. A plaque was presented to the station as a reminder of their visit.

The RNLI fundraising team then had to dash across town for the third part of the day. Canterbury based Caritas Choral Choir had approached Ramsgate RNLI fundraisers asking if they could put on a concert to raise money for the local RNLI.

With the assistance of the Station Chaplain, John Chater, the event was arranged to be held at St. George’s Church in Ramsgate which has ties with the local RNLI. A full program of music was written by well known choir director Benedict Preece and local artists were encouraged to exhibit nautical art works as well as the fundraisers selling RNLI merchandise. The event was called Sea Scape and proved to be a delightful afternoon.

Then the evening finished off with a sell out Fish and Chip Supper hosted by the fundraisers back at the station with music provided by the Greyhound Buskers. A lovely end to an extremely busy day.

Saturday was an exception. It’s rare there are four functions in one day. However, without volunteer fundraisers working hard across the country the RNLI would be unable to carry out its role of saving lives at sea. It is entirely funded by donations and the majority of the crew are volunteers.

Media contacts:

Karen Cox Ramsgate volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer [email protected] 07779 848431.

Paul Dunt RNLI Media Officer London and the South East [email protected] tel. 0778520296252.

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.