Constantine RNLI lifeguards receive facility upgrade from supporters generosity

The newly improved facilities have already been put to good use since the lifeguards began their 2021 patrols in April and will patrol the beach until the end of September.

The lifeguard hut at the top of the beach has been re-clad thanks to a kind donation of materials from roofing and façade company Cedral. The building now looks contemporary, in-keeping with its surroundings and has lower maintenance costs as it has increased protection from the storms that hit the north Cornish coast.

Alongside the external building work, the lifeguard team were amazed to receive a donation of £10,000 from a supporter who has seen them in action, to improve lifesaving facilities. This money has provided a board bin in front of the lifeguard facility, which stores rescue boards and first aid equipment. It means lifeguards and other trained members of the community can access the equipment out of hours if there is an emergency.

The remainder of the donation has gone towards fitting out a newly built garage store, generously provided by developers Acorn Blue, for the inshore rescue boat (IRB) and all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The new lifeguard garage store has been built for the RNLI on the former Treglos Hotel site. The previous owner Jim Barlow sold the property to Acorn Blue but as part of the sale he stipulated that the new owners replace the lifeguard storage garage with a purpose-built garage which could provide better facilities and be used all year round. The new garage means the IRB and ATV can be stored closer to the beach and will be cleaned and maintained in situ, ensuring they can be kept on service all season.

Stuart Brereton, Regional Managing Director for Acorn Blue said,

‘With our regional office based in Newquay and numerous beach side developments, we see the incredible lifesaving work the RNLI do first hand, so I am thrilled that we have been able to provide the RNLI team at Constantine Bay a purpose built unit for them to store and maintain their equipment year round.’

A portion of the £10,000 donation will provide electricity and running water to the garage, as well as internal features such as board racks.

RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for the area Max Setti, says: ‘We are so incredibly grateful to have received three separate donations this winter. These generous gifts have enabled us to significantly upgrade our facilities at Constantine, both for the lifeguards and the public using the beach. The upgrades mean our equipment and buildings can be protected and cared for throughout each season, and it will also enhance the service we can provide to the public, as well as the working environment of our lifeguards.’

Max is encouraging people heading to the coast to choose a lifeguarded beach:

‘We’re expecting a busy season ahead as many people will chose to holiday closer to home this year. If you’re heading to the coast please choose a lifeguarded beach and follow our safety advice, as well as the latest government advice on social distancing, travel and contact with others when visiting the beach to keep yourselves and our lifeguards safe.

‘If you see anyone in difficulty, alert the lifeguards and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The lifeguarding team will be following the same protocols and measures introduced last year because of coronavirus and will be very happy to speak to you, we look forward to seeing you soon.’

Notes to editors

· For more information on Acorn and the development, please visit: https://www.acornpropertygroup.org/development/treglos-constantine-bay-phase-2/

· Please find attached photos of the RNLI lifeguard facility on Constantine beach credit: Images supplied by Cedral

· Please also find attached a photo of the garage store donated by Acorn Blue Stuart Brereton Regional Director (front and centre, mustard trousers), Mark Goldsmith Project Manager AH Construction, Wayne Rundle Project Manager Acorn Blue, Max Setti Lead Supervisor RNLI, Ben Holtaway RNLI infrastructure manager credit Tom Last

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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 142,700 lives.

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