Help us Survive the ‘Perfect Storm’
News that the RNLI is facing a ‘Perfect Storm’ is concerning not only for volunteers but for the general public too. The charity’s crews are busier than ever, people are still drowning, but our income is down.
At Porthcawl lifeboat fundraisers work tiredlessy to raise funds for the charity whilst crew launches during the last two years have been greater in number than any period since the lifeboat station was opened in 1965.
Whilst we were the busiest lifeboat station in Wales during 2018 it appears with a similar number of launches we could be heading for a similar situation when figures get released for 2019. We need more money to save more lives – investing in the future of lifesaving is vital.
With thoughts of Christmas approaching fast we do have thoughts for those who will be working over the Christmas period. At Porthcawl RNLI lifeboat station all crew will be on standby twenty four seven, every day throughout the year. Several of our volunteers will be working at their full time professions over the festive holidays as well as being available for ‘shouts’ when not in work.
At least four of our volunteer crew will be working over the Christmas holidays, two police constables, a paramedic and one of our newest crew, Angharad Masson, a staff nurse at Princess of Wales Hospital at Bridgend. At least twelve crew, available on Christmas morning, will volunteer as sea safety personnel at Porthcawl’s annual Christmas Morning Swim.
Angharad who joined the crew earlier this year will be in work Christmas afternoon and Boxing day. She said, ‘I will also manage to volunteer for safety on Sandy Bay to help at the Christmas Morning Swim before I go in for my afternoon shift. This will be a change for me as I have been a swimmer participant in the event for many years’. Having studied at university and settled into her duties as a staff nurse she was looking for something of interest to do outside of work. With her father being honorary Chaplain at Porthcawl lifeboat the RNLI stood ready to fulfil her ambitions. Although a new crew she has been surprised at the number of launches that take place at all times of day and night and often in poor sea conditions. Angharad has already played a vital role as crew on several shouts especially one where the casualty, who was not breathing, recovered following resuscitation.
To ensure the RNLI can continue its lifesaving work this Christmas and into the future, the charity is launching a major fundraising appeal ‘The Perfect Storm’ with the aim of raising £1.8M and recruiting 12,000 new supporters.
To support the RNLI’s Perfect Storm appeal this Christmas, helping to ensure the charity’s brave volunteers can continue saving lives at sea, please visit RNLI.org/ThePerfectStorm
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.