Get a fresh Fish Supper: Call4Fish supports the RNLI’s fundraising campaign

When the unexpected happens at sea, fishermen can rely on the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews being ready to launch 24/7. That’s why Call4Fish is teaming up with the RNLI to support the charity’s Fish Supper campaign.

Call4Fish was set up during the lockdown period in March this year to enable people to buy safely and have fish delivered to their door, while helping UK fishermen and local traders. Originally launched in Plymouth, within weeks Call4Fish became a national listing service supporting fishermen and businesses from Berwickshire to Jersey.

By getting involved, supporters are helping to promote fish as a sustainable food source, while also ensuring that the RNLI’s volunteer crews can continue to help those in peril at sea. Fish Supper hosts can visit the Call4Fish website where they can search their region for local fish shops and merchants to place their orders.

Alternatively order special fish boxes for next-day delivery and at checkout, you can donate to the RNLI. Options include the ‘Fish N’ Hix’, ‘Fish and Chips’, or the ‘Coxswain’s Selection Box’. Chef and restauranteur Mark Hix, who is also a keen supporter of the charity, has put together two special RNLI recipes to go with the fish boxes, so that hosts can easily turn their order into a delicious Fish Supper to impress all the family.

Terri Portmann, from Call4fish, said:

‘Fishing is the UK’s most dangerous peacetime occupation, but when things go wrong, our fishermen know the RNLI will not hesitate to come to their aid.

‘The connections between our fishing fleets and lifeboat stations are strong - with many fishermen serving on crews around the coast. It is our great pleasure that our fishermen, fish shops and merchants can help the amazing work of the RNLI, and its volunteers in this years campaign.

Dave Nicoll, RNLI Fundraising and Partnership Lead in the south west, said:

‘As a charity we have lost millions of pounds due to the impact of Coronavirus. We had to close our shops, we cancelled all face-to-face fundraising activity and our amazing supporters couldn’t host fundraising events for us. So this year’s Fish Supper fundraiser is more important than ever before and we are so grateful to have the support of Call4Fish.

‘95% of the RNLI’s people are volunteers, our crews drop everything including their work or meals to respond to emergencies at sea. In the south west, many of these volunteers also have jobs that help produce the nation’s favourite meal, a Fish Supper, and it’s even more of a reason to celebrate the region’s fishing industry and fundraise for the RNLI.’

With restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the RNLI is encouraging people to host their Fish Supper online this year if they can’t get together in person.

To sign up to host your own Fish Supper, and to find a load of fantastic recipes from some top celebrity chefs, visit: RNLI.org/Fish

Notes to editors

• Interviews available with Terri Portmann and Dave Nicoll
• Supporters of Fish Supper in the south west can donate via this JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/south-west-fish-supper-call4fish
• The Call4Fish website: https://www.call4fish.com/
• Fish boxes available here: https://www.soundseafood.co.uk/rnli

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact Marianne Quinn, Regional Media Officer, on [email protected] or 07786 668847, Amy Caldwell, Regional Media Manager on 07920818807.

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.