Oban RNLI launches Where’s Welly Challenge
The interactive digital fundraiser hopes to keep supporters engaged and entertained while raising vital funds for the lifesaving charity as their volunteers brace themselves for a busy summer.
Where’s Welly was thought up and carefully illustrated by Oban Lifeboat crew member and press officer Leonie Mead as a bit of fun for people to take part in and to raise awareness of the RNLI.
There are a number of yellow wellies hidden within the image and it’s over to the public to see if they can find them all. The highly detailed illustration includes the RNLI’s entire fleet, from each of the lifeboat classes to their launch and recovery systems and lifeguards ashore. The coastline is made up of iconic landmarks and buildings, along with one of the country’s lifeboat station buildings.
The digital illustration was hand drawn and inspired by RNLI lifeboat stations and lifeguards around the country and the amazing work of their dedicated volunteers.
Leonie said “I wanted to create something interactive that we could share with our supporters digitally while face to face contact remains restricted. I was aiming for something fun and colourful that incorporated all aspects of the RNLI as well as some of our coastline and our many water users.”
Supporters can take part in the initiative by visiting www.whereswelly.co.uk where the high quality image can be accessed, within which the wellies can be found.
The answers are being closely guarded, but they can be accessed in return for a donation to the RNLI via the JustGiving page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/whereswelly2021
Supporters will receive a thank you email with the password to access them.
Leonie said “RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews, including ours here in Oban, provide a 24-hour search and rescue service all around the UK and Ireland, while lifeguards keep a careful watch on many of our busiest beaches. Their lifesaving work depends on supporter fundraising and is only made possible by the generous donations our supporters give.”
“We hope that if people enjoy Where’s Welly they’ll support us with a donation.”
Will you take on the Where's Welly Challenge and help ensure RNLI volunteers can keep saving lives at sea?
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.