Brighton RNLI going potty for 5p's

In 2014, Betty Frith – the honorary Treasurer of the RNLI Hertford branch for over 20 years – came up with the idea of washing the individual jam pots served up in cafes and hotels and reusing them as tiny collection jars for all those fiddly 5p pieces which end up at the bottom of your purse or pocket. The idea proved a huge success and has now been adopted by over 100 local RNLI branches, raise many thousands of pounds for the lifesaving work of the Institution.

Local volunteers have now brought the great idea to Brighton – a city well known for its enthusiasm for reusing and recycling. Betty’s 5p pots are available to collect from the RNLI shop at Brighton Marina which is open from 11am until 3pm each day (though it’s worth calling ahead on 01273 606334 to check). You’ll be able to drop full 5p pots back to the shop and if you have any clean individual pots which the RNLI could use, please bring them along!

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.