Locals raise vital funds for the RNLI with a socially-distanced street party
The residents of Dovedale Road in Hoylake proved that fundraising at home can save lives at sea this weekend after holding a socially-distanced street party in support of the RNLI.
The event raised an incredible £1,322.55 for the lifesaving charity. The street party idea evolved in a new whatsapp group Dovedale Road residents setup at the start of lockdown to help ensure those who were self-isolating had all the food and provisions they needed. New friendships were quickly formed and four residents; Marie, Katya, Darren and Mike, decided to lift community spirits with a street party.
Katya said, “It’s strange to say but lockdown has brought our neighbourhood closer than ever and everyone is so proud to have been able to support our local RNLI lifeboat station. We hope to do more of these socially-distanced street parties and continue to raise money for charity.”
On behalf of all RNLI volunteers, Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Andy Dodd called in to thank the residents and organisers for their amazing efforts in these difficult times.
Andy said, “We’re so grateful to these guys for their amazing efforts to raise money for the RNLI in what is undoubtedly one of the busiest times I’ve known in all my years with the charity. We know lockdown has been a challenging time for a lot of people, so it was great to see the residents of Dovedale Road come together to create a fun day in the sun and raise some funds for a good cause at the same time!”
The RNLI’s annual ‘Mayday’ fundraising campaign usually boosts donations to the charity at the start of their busy Summer season. However this year many fundraising events were unable to take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hoylake lifeboat station was disappointed to cancel its yearly “car wash” which sees its RNLI volunteers fully kitted up and washing cars in return for a modest donation to the charity.
The Dovedale Road street party was a creative and safe way to raise funds for the RNLI, whose volunteer crews are busier than ever at the moment. The charity relies on donations from the public to keep their vital service running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Notes to editors
- Hoylake lifeboat station has been operating since 1803. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/hoylake-lifeboat-station
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.