RNLI Rye Harbour benefits from festive traditions
Ron Baker has been selling mistletoe for over twelve years in the pubs local to him and has raised many thousands of pounds for RNLI Rye Harbour
The mistletoe is donated by Penshurst Place Estate each year and we are really grateful both to the estate and to Ron for taking the time to sell it. Of course this year, against the background of Covid-19, it has been more difficult to sell because the pubs have been closed but this has not deterred Ron who still managed to raise funds for the RNLI by selling in different ways. He is such a well-known figure locally and his jolly banter was certainly missed this year during the festive season.
Palace Estates General Manager, Ben Thomas, said, ‘It is our pleasure to donate Penshurst Place Estate mistletoe to the RNLI and we hope that the sale of this magnificent festive plant has helped the RNLI collect some much-needed funds to aid their excellent charitable work and all of the many people they help.’
The UK tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is thought to have started in the 1700s, but it became much more popular throughout the 1800s.
Donations enable the RNLI to carry on their sterling work of 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.