St Bees RNLI help Santa battle stormy weather.
Heavy rain and strong winds battered St Bees on Tuesday but the RNLI Carol concert and annual Christmas visit from Santa went ahead as planned.
Despite some of the worst weather of the winter so far the residents of St Bees turned out to see Santa make his way through the village. Santa, whose sleigh was pulled by one of St Bees RNLI volunteer helms, distributed sweets to the local children on his way before turning on the lights of the village Christmas tree.
The festivities then moved to the lifeboat station where members of St Bees RNLI fundraising Guild collected entrance fees and sold raffle tickets to the many people who had braved the slightly improving weather.
The children from St Bees Primary School along with Whitehaven Brass Band then warmed everyone up with a wonderful selection of Christmas songs and carols.
During the interval the RNLI volunteer crew handed out mulled wine, mince pies and cakes whilst St Bees RNLI Operation Manager drew out the many raffle prizes, assisted by one of the pupils from the School.
St Bees Operations Manager Dick Beddows said ‘I’m sure everyone felt it was worth braving the elements to hear St Bees Primary School and The Whitehaven Brass Band get Christmas off to a great start. I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a safe new year and thank everyone for supporting St Bees RNLI during the last year’.
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
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