Over £1200 raised for RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station in Boxing Day Tug O’War
Hoylake’s volunteer RNLI crew took on the Hoylake Sailing Club team in the 47th annual Tug O’War on Hoylake Beach at noon on Boxing Day.
This year veteran attendees said the ground conditions were the worst they’d been since the first competition in 1972. The tide and wet weather conditions had left the sand waterlogged and the RNLI volunteer crew had been working since 9am to drain the area, digging trenches around the perimeter.
The stage was set and despite the grey skies and incessant drizzle, hundreds of locals turned out to support the two teams; the RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat crew and those from Hoylake Sailing Club. The RNLI crew won the day in two rounds and were duly cheered by the onlooking crowd. The Sailing Club team congratulated the winners of the coveted Slater Trophy and continued the tradition of treating them to a round of Guinness, saying they looked forward to a rematch in 364 days!
RNLI Coxswain Andy Dodd said: “I salute everyone who took part in the Tug of War today. They had their work cut out as the sand was soaked, but they really gave it their all! I’m very proud of our RNLI volunteer crew and we’re all hugely grateful to all those who came out on such a miserable day to support the event and help us raise such a fantastic amount for the charity.”
RNLI volunteers collected donations from onlookers on the promenade who had come out to show their support for both teams on Boxing Day. A total of £1201.25 was raised which is a record for the event. RNLI Hoylake Lifeboat Station would like to thank the local community for their generous support.
Earlier this month the Royal National Lifeboat Institution launched its first Christmas appeal entitled “The Perfect Storm”. The campaign aims to draw attention to the fact that whilst volunteers up and down the country are busier than ever, donations are down. During the holiday season the RNLI often experiences a spike in emergency call outs and relies on charitable donations to continue provide its vital service 24 hours a day. To learn more about this Christmas appeal or to make a donation visit the RNLI website.
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
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.