Newcastle Falcons visit the RNLI
Professional rugby players George Wacokecoke and Connor Collett visited the lifeboat station at Blyth to gain an understanding of the role the RNLI plays in saving lives at sea.
The visit is part of an initiative where the Newcastle Falcons are showing their appreciation of the work of Members of the armed forces, emergency services and NHS staff.
The players received a warm welcome from the volunteer crew at Blyth RNLI and were given the opportunity to ask questions about the role the RNLI plays.
They were then shown the different equipment and the inshore lifeboats based at Blyth RNLI before given the opportunity to go afloat on Tynemouth’s all-weather lifeboat which had come up to the Port of Blyth as part of the visit.
The volunteers crews then demonstrated to George and Connor the capabilities of the RNLI lifeboats out in Blyth Bay.
Robin Palmer, volunteer crew member and lifeboat press officer at Blyth RNLI, said: “We really appreciate the time George and Connor spent visiting our lifeboat station, gaining an understanding of the role that the RNLI as a charity plays in saving lives at sea.
'I’m sure they went back to the club to share their experience of what the volunteer crew do when out training, and especially witnessing first-hand what it's like to be onboard Tynemouth’s all-weather lifeboat. We look forward to seeing the players in action on Friday March 13 against Bedford Blues.
Wacokecoke said: 'It was great to visit the RNLI in Blyth and go out on the Tynemouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat. The volunteers there do an incredible job, and it will be fantastic to see them and the other services personnel at our game against Bedford on March 13.'
Discounted tickets for the game start from only £8 for past and present serving members (usual RRP £12) and can be purchased from the Kingston Park ticket office in advance of match-day upon production of the relevant staff ID. Online ticket sales links have also been made available to representatives from each service, and will be distributed internally.
Questions regarding the offer being directed to [email protected]
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.