Two Events Over Bank Holiday Weekend Keep Rhyl RNLI Busy
It was a busy bank holiday weekend for the RNLI volunteers at Rhyl with two events taking place during Sunday and Monday.
Despite bad weather early on, Sunday saw Rhyl Lifeboat stations doors opened to the public where people were invited to tour over the lifeboats along with other emergency services. Stalls were also inside the station along with a café run by the crew’s families.
The RNLI’s Stafford with Rugeley fundraising branch also attended the day, where they handed over their RNLI Standard to the Rhyl crew. The standard was purchased by the branch over 30 years ago and has been paraded throughout Staffordshire, Derbyshire and the West Midlands by Mike Deavell ever since.
Chris Rivers, Chair of the Stafford & Rugeley Branch said ‘Our branch has reached the time due to age and numbers that we are no longer able to handle the standard in the way it deserves. We therefore had to make the decision either to lay it up, or to find a further use for it.
Due to our long association with Rhyl RNLI it was decided to offer it to them, I am pleased to say that the offer was accepted’.
Rhyl Lifeboat Coxswain Martin Jones said ‘We are honoured that the Stafford and Rugeley Branch have gifted their RNLI standard to the station. We usually have to use a standard that is loaned out to stations across Wales, now we have our own, it will be used on all ceremonial events the crew attend or hold’.
The annual RNLI Duck Boat Race was held at Dyserth waterfall on the bank holiday Monday. As usual the popular event attracted the crowds and a number of races were run throughout the day. The event is held to coincide with the RNLI’s national May Day fundraising campaign. This year’s campaign aims to raise £700,000 to fund the vital kit that protects the volunteer lifeboat crews in all weathers.
Peter Dean, Rhyl RNLI Fundraising Chair said ‘Despite the bad weather at this year’s Duck Boat Race we still managed to run eight races, raising vital funds to go towards our May Day target. I’d like to thank everyone who helped out and also attended the day’.
Denbighshire County Council also showed their support for the RNLI’s May Day appeal by turning Rhyl promenade yellow on Saturday night. Local landmarks like the Pont Y Ddraig Bridge, Rhyl Sky Tower and Rhyl Pavilion Theatre were lit up the same colour as the lifeboat crew iconic yellow wellies for the evening.
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.