Retiring Lifeboat Model Gifted To Station

Garreth, who is a member of the Colwyn Bay Model Boat Club, attended the Rhyl Lifeboat Station during one of the volunteer crews weekly training sessions to donate his model of the current, and soon to retire Lil Cunningham.

The model of the Mersey Class All-Weather Lifeboat will be displayed in the stations crew room alongside models of all the other previous All-Weather Lifeboats Stationed at Rhyl dating back to the late 1800's.

Garreth said 'I'm currently working on some other models of lifeboats, so I needed more space at home. As a supporter of the Rhyl RNLI, rather then sell her I decided to donate the model, as it was the only model they hadn't got. I thought the best thing to do was bring Lil home to the station where she will be looked after just like the real boat'.

Paul Archer-Jones, Deputy Coxswain, who accepted the model from Garreth said 'The fantastic model will sit pride of place in our crew room. With our new Shannon Class arriving later this year, the model will remind us of the great work Lil has undertaken over the past 27 years she has been on service here at Rhyl.

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.