Seahouses Lifeboat Crew help Santa deliver some Christmas Joy
Seahouses Lifeboat Crew help Santa deliver some Christmas Joy
Lifeboats News Release
Seahouses Lifeboat Crew have taken time out from their hectic training programme ahead of the arrival next year of their new state of the art Shannon Class Lifeboat, to bring some Christmas Cheer to the local toddler’s group, and local children in need.
RNLI/Ian Clayton
Crew member Iain Saunders accepts letter from Julie Clark, Lynsey Car, James Higgins and Kika Isakiewicz
The crew decided to start a toy appeal, to provide some Christmas happiness to local toddlers, and to children in need in the area. A publicity campaign was launched, and the crew were surprised and delighted by the response from the local community. Local shops and businesses acted as collection points and the event was a great success.
The toys were distributed amongst the Seahouses Toddlers, a local independent group for the under 3s, Northumberland Childrens’ Services, and the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary Great North Children’s Hospital. The appeal was hugely successful and it can now be confirmed that approximately 57 children have benefited, including Seahouses Toddler Group.
The crew at Seahouses Lifeboat Station would like to say a massive "thank you" to everyone who donated to their Christmas toy appeal. The toddlers Christmas party at the Seahouses Hub, was held on Monday 16 December where Santa dropped in for a surprise visit - he was helped along by his wise old Elf (DLA Stephen Copeland) and the RNLI mascot Stormy Sam in the Seahouses inshore lifeboat.
It was a huge privilege for Seahouses Lifeboat Station to be a part of the children’s celebration, and everyone involved have made some wonderful memories to keep.
Meanwhile, back at the station the bulk of the kindly donated gifts were collected by the representative for Northumberland Children’s Services. The gifts have been distributed to children in Northumberland who, without the generosity and kindness of the donors, may have spent Christmas without receiving a gift. The crew are awaiting final confirmation but it is estimated that these gifts have gone on to make a huge difference to approximately 30 children.
The lifeboat station also offers heartfelt thanks to the drop off points, Corklee News, Cubbys Newsagents and Sea Breeze Supplies in Seahouses, for their "amazing support".
Seahouses Lifeboat Crew are forever proud to be a part of such a kind and thoughtful community.
RNLI Picture captions
The photos show Julie Clark, Social Worker, representing North Locality Childrens’ Social Care Team and Childrens’ Hospital Social Work Team (RVI Newcastle), presenting a letter of thanks to members of the Seahouses Crew.
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.
