Manx RNLI lifeboat crews issue Mayday after figures reveal 25 launches in 2020
On the Isle of Man, RNLI lifeboats from Peel, Ramsey, Douglas, Port Erin and Port St Mary launched 25 times and aided 16 people during the year.
Across the charity, a total of 349 lives saved by RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards last year – almost one life saved every single day.
The charity is now putting out its own Mayday call as it faces a busy summer. As more people choose to holiday closer to home, more funds are needed to ensure the lifesaving service is able to keep everyone safe.
Chris Gaskin, Area Lifesaving Manager for the Isle of Man says:
‘Despite a period of 2020 spent in lockdown on the Isle of Man, our lifesavers remained on call and ready to respond at a moment’s notice. As another summer approaches, we know that our lifesavers face more huge challenges in keeping everyone safe, which is why we’re now the ones sending out our own Mayday call and asking for help.
‘Our annual Mayday fundraising campaign is our call for your support to help keep you and your family safe at the coast this summer.’
Launching on Saturday 1 May and running for the whole of the month, the RNLI’s annual Mayday campaign asks people to sign up to support our lifesavers. This year, the charity will be calling on supporters to join the Mayday Mile and cover at least one mile in any way they like in order to raise vital funds.
Chris added: ‘Our lifesavers drop everything to run to the lifeboat station when the call comes, so we’re asking our supporters to put themselves in the crew’s boots and join the Mayday Mile. Every penny raised during Mayday will go towards ensuring we are ready to save even more lives this year.’
To sign up for the Mayday Mile, or to make a donation in support of the RNLI’s lifesavers, visit RNLI.org/supportMayday
RNLI lifeboat crews launched to the rescue on 8,239 occasions in total last year – that’s an average of 23 launches every day – and helped 8,374 people. Lifeguards attended 10,687 incidents, including 2,371 rescues.
*Summer refers to the period of 1st June – 31st August 2020
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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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