Looe RNLI volunteers accompany Santa into Looe

Several of our volunteer crew met Santa at the lifeboat station, and after making sure Santa, Mrs Christmas, their reindeers and penguins are all wearing lifejackets they board the charity's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Sheila and Dennis Tongue II for a short voyage up river to the ferry steps, where children, parents and grandparents of Looe were waiting excitingly to greet Santa.

Met at the steps by mayor Martin Gregory, Santa went on to meet the crowd before taking a sleigh ride through the town to his grotto by the harbour office.

Santa has asked our volunteer crew to remind everyone of an important safety message. When flying over water on the sleigh, Santa and the reindeers always wear lifejackets. Santa would encourage everyone who is out and about on the water over the festive season to be aware of their surroundings, have a means of calling for help and wear appropriate safety equipment.

End

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Santa and his helpers with Looe RNLI volunteer crew, Alastair Pearn, Dan Margetts and Toby Bray at Looe Lifeboat Station
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Santa and his helpers arriving at the ferry steps, East Looe Quay with Looe RNLI volunteer crew, Toby Bray, Alastair Pearn, Dan Margetts and Gareth Shaw
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

· Santa arriving at the ferry steps, East Looe Quay
Photo credit RNLI / Ian Foster

Information

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website www.looelifeboats.co.uk

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Media Manager, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Media Officer, on 07786 668847 or [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.

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.