Faith Restored!
After a break in at the Sheringham RNLI Lifeboat House the whole of the local community rallied round to replenish the losses incurred by said break in.
The RNLI is held in high regard here in Sheringham, as it is nationwide, by old and young alike. To this end one of the first to respond was Schoolgirl Faith Kenny who wanted to do her bit when she heard that money had been stolen from RNLI charity boxes.
The 13-year-old decided to make bracelets from coloured threads to sell and has so far raised £262.
Mum Lindsey said: “I bought her threads to use over the summer. She made her first bracelet for me for my birthday and then made eight more. We heard about the break-in and she asked me to put them up for sale to raise money to help with the money they lost.
“We use the beach all the time so think that someone stealing from such a valuable service is terrible.”
Faith didn’t think any one would buy her bracelets but the post was quickly shared throughout Facebook and more than 100 orders were received. Faith then started to make key-rings too, which have also been popular, with lots sold in lifeboat colours.
Faith has had money sent to her for materials and also received gifts of threads to help her complete all her orders, plus a gift shop in the town has offered to stock children’s bracelets, to continue the project once the orders have been completed.
Faith, a student at Sheringham High School originally set her target at £20 so has already surpassed that tenfold.
The donations were stolen after thieves broke into the lifeboat station.
Hundreds of pounds were taken when they emptied and dumped collection boxes on Sheringham beach after breaking into the town’s RNLI headquarters on the Promenade.
The crime took place between 4pm on Saturday, August 18, and 8am the following day.
It is understood the thieves broke in after forcing open windows, according to a Norfolk police spokesman.
Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should call 101 and quote CAD reference 126.
Traders from the Keep Sheringham Special group have taken collecting boxes for the RNLI to help replenish their funds.
Phil Hawes, chairman Sheringham RNLI, said: “I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the very many members of our town and its visitors who, following the recent break-in have been so supportive. Community is very a special thing and both today and in our long past, we of the RNLI view ourselves as a core part of Sheringham. We have common cause. The very purpose of our existence is to serve the needs of others and save life. It is a simple quest that relies on the support and generosity of a great many. Our volunteers are townsfolk who freely give of their time in that quiet undramatic style East Anglia understands and values.
“That an individual or individuals should think it acceptable to break into our lifeboathouse and steal from a charity that seeks to save those in peril saddens me greatly, yet I am buoyed by the response it has provoked and the thoughtful and positive actions of so many. Thank you.”
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.