Littlehampton RNLI fundraisers brave Storm Dennis to raise more than £100,000
Littlehampton RNLI’s B Class lifeboat 'Renee Sherman' launched to reports of a windsurfer in difficulty during Storm Dennis but they were not the only members of the RNLI volunteer family to brave the weather, the fundraising team were out too.
Storm Dennis brought strong winds and wild seas to our coast during February, but this didn’t deter lifeboat crews from assisting those in distress at sea. They would not be able to do this without the support of the fundraising teams whose volunteer efforts in the Littlehampton lifeboat station shop, running stalls at public events and organising collections around the county, supports the RNLI charity that saves lives at sea.
The boathouse on Littlehampton’s river frontage filled with windblown, but enthusiastic, volunteers for their annual meeting to discuss how much they had raised during 2019 and to review plans for 2020.
The RNLI is facing a Perfect Storm with increasing numbers of calls on its volunteer members which puts pressure on the independent charity’s ability to resource lifeboats and crews. In spite of these challenges Littlehampton’s fundraisers brought in over £57,000 during 2019 with an additional £45,000 in bequests bringing the total to nearly £103,000!
Nick White, Lifeboat Operations Manager at the Littlehampton station, said:
'Without the stalwart efforts of our fundraising teams and the generosity of members of the public the RNLI would simply not exist. As a wholly independent charity dedicated to saving lives at sea we rely on the determined efforts of the Littlehampton, Arundel & Bognor Regis Fundraising Branch together with all the other support groups across the country.
When you see one of our orange boats heading out from Fisherman’s Quay and on to the River Arun to brave the waves beyond the harbour entrance, our lifeboat crews know it’s through the generous support of local communities.'
ENDS
RNLI media contacts
Anthony Fogg, Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer, Littlehampton RNLI 07823 509032 [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer, London and South East 07785 296252 [email protected]
For enquiries outside normal business hours contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
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 over 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 142,700 lives.
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.