Mumbles Raft race raises vital funds

The volunteers of The Mumbles lifeboat station had a break in the poor weather to host the 34th annual Mumbles RNLI raft race on Sunday.

27 teams have spent months preparing for the fundraising fun race which is held each year on the village seafront.

Just after 4.15 Sunday afternoon the start gun was fired for the rafts to take on the 3km course.

The day has so far raised £12000 in sponsorship.

David Thomas is chairman of the Mumbles Lifeboat Crew Association ‘What a fantastic day, we estimate over 10,000 people came into the village to watch the race. It means a lot to the charity to see everyone popping a few pounds in the collection buckets. Without fundraising efforts like this the lifeboats simply couldn’t operate. There was lots of fun on the water and we had a break in the weather to allow the race to take place. We’re already making plans for the 2020 event.’

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.