Burnham on Sea RNLI Open Day a great success.
Our volunteer crews and fundraisers worked together on Easter Sunday, to open the station doors to the public
As well as the boats and hi tech launch tractors, there were exhibits showing the different equipment used during service taskings and a chance for people to try on some of the kit. From the start there was a steady stream of families all keen to view the boats and launch vehicles, and RNLI mascot Stormy Stan spent the day walking around the sea front having photos taken with the younger visitors and handing out flags, badges and stickers.
After lunch the lifeboat station Launch Authority gave permission for our D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach to be escorted to the town jetty where those taking advantage of the beautiful weather could see the boat and crews while remaining on the beach.
At this point we would like to say a big thank you to the beach wardens for their support while we were on the jetty.
The D Class was returned to station where more visitors came along to look around and crews were kept very busy answering questions and offering safety advice regarding the tides and mud.
Members of the fundraising team offered leaflets and monitored collection boxes raising a sum of just short of £250 which will assist us in continuing to save lives at sea. Some visitors to the lifeboat station were surprised to learn that the RNLI is a charity and with no other funding relies on donations to equip its volunteer crews.
Burnham Deputy Launch Authority Phil Counsel said “Crew were kept busy all day by the amazing amount of public interest shown in our open day which made it an enormous success”. He added “Our visitors were interested in seeing our boats and launch vehicles close at hand and crew were able to explain how it`s all used and answer everyones questions”.
Senior Helm Nick Edrich also added; “The public interaction was incredible and I felt we were talking to many budding young lifeboat crew of the future. We also raised extra funds for our vital life saving work.”
Notes to editors
Text for this release is taken from DLPO Ian Brown’s input to the station facebook page ‘RNLI Lifeboats at Burnham-on-Sea.
Attached images with this release (Credit RNLI/Ian Brown):-
File name: d_class_on_jetty Fundraising group press Officer Ann with our station D Class Burnham Reach
File name: Fishy_Stormy_Stan Stormy Stan posses along side the traditional shell fish kiosk
File name: Meeting Stormy Stormy meets meets a junior fan
File name: Open_day_volunteers In Front of Atlantic 85 lifeboat Doris Day and Brian are some of the volunteers that made the day a great success
Other images of the day are available on request
Lifeboats in service at Burnham-on-Sea:
A 8.5m Atlantic 85 named Doris Day and Brian and a smaller 4.95m D class IB1 inflatable named Burnham Reach The station was opened officially on 15th May 2004, but has been operational since December 2003.
RNLI media contacts
For more information about this release please telephone Mike Lang, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07889 815860 or email [email protected],
In the absence of the above, contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789
Alternatively, telephone Amy Caldwell RNLI Public Relations Manager (South)
Tel 07920 818 807, [email protected] , or Emma Haines Press Officer; 07786 668847 [email protected]
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.
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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.