Cash boost for Redcar RNLI
Redcar RNLI has been given a cash boost thanks to the generosity of the staff and customers of a national chain of convenience stores.
Representatives from McColl’s convenience stores came to the RNLI Redcar station to present the donation.
McColl’s David Henderson, Senior Store Manager, described how on a personal family visit to Blackpool in the summer of 2019, he watched the RNLI in action, and was inspired to raise funds to support the charity.
When he returned home he mobilised the company into action, and the 22 McColl’s stores within the North East Region began to raise money throughout the months of October and November 2019.
Each store reached its target of £100, and in total they raised over £2,700 through raffles, tombola’s, prize draws, fancy dress events and Coffee and Cake bakes in their local stores.
Mr Henderson, together with McColl’s colleagues Tom Farrow, Area Manager and Nigel Harrison, Branch Manager, presented the donation at the Redcar lifeboat station.
Speaking on behalf of McColl’s, Tom Farrow said: ‘It has been a pleasure to help the RNLI in this way. We thoroughly enjoyed the fundraising activities across our regional store network.
‘We targeted 22 stores that have a RNLI presence in their catchment area and together they have raised £2,708.13p.’
Mr Farrow added: ‘It was truly inspirational to see the support that our customers and staff gave to the events and the donations received were tremendous.
'Good Luck everyone; the work of the RNLI is exceptional and we are proud at McColl’s to help support this charity and its volunteers.’
Howard Smith, Deputy Launching Authority at Redcar RNLI, on receiving the cheque said: ‘This is an amazing donation. As a charity, the RNLI depends entirely on donations and legacies to carry out its life-saving work.
‘The money will be used here at Redcar to support the work of our volunteer crews and we’re very grateful to have such tremendous support from the local community.
Ends
Notes to editors:
Attached are images of the McColl's representatives presenting the donation to the Redcar lifeboat station. Credit: Redcar RNLI
Redcar lifeboat station has been operating since 1802
Redcar currently operates a B-class lifeboat named Leicester Challenge III, paid for by the people of Leicester, and an IB1-class lifeboat named Eileen May Loach-Thomas, paid from the legacy of the late Mr Nick Thomas of Shropshire
For more news, information and images go to www.redcarlifeboat.org.uk. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/redcarrnli and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RedcarRNLI
Any images used should be credited RNLI/Redcar unless indicated
RNLI media contacts:
For more information please contact Dave Cocks, RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer on 07894 558 483. Alternatively, contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Press Officer, North 07824 518641 or at [email protected], or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; [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.
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