Record-breaking Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week cancelled
One of the most eagerly anticipated summer events in Lyme Regis -Lifeboat Week -has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ken Lavery, chairman of the Lyme Regis Lifeboat Supporters, said: 'This decision was incredibly difficult to make. However, first and foremost we must put the safety and welfare of our visitors, members and volunteers above all else.
' We felt it was impossible to carry out our many and varied activities to the standard that holidaymakers and members of the community know and love, with social distancing measures in place as they should be.
'Our crew remains ready to go to the aid of anyone in danger on the sea, with our colleagues in the coastguard service, and this vital service will continue.
'However, as well as losing Lifeboat Week, a decision has been made to close the lifeboat shop over the busy holiday period to ensure the safety of our volunteers, many of whom are in the vulnerable group.
'Therefore, there will be a significant loss of income. We hope people will still support the RNLI and use the online shop if at all possible.,
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.