Lewis Hamilton’s jacket could be just the ticket to help Tower Lifeboat Station
The UK's busiest lifeboat station, Tower RNLI, located by Waterloo Bridge in central London, is ‘going under the hammer’ this month in a bid to raise funds to help its crew move to a new purpose-built home.
The Tower crew, who are made up of 10 full-time staff and 55 volunteers, have launched more than 8,350 times since the station opened in 2002, rescued more than 2,000 people and saved 334 lives.
But there is a problem. The station is based on a Victorian pier which is now more than 150 years old. It’s old and cramped and floats on the river, rising and falling with each tide and the constant rocking and jolting has left the structure beyond economical improvement as well as lacking the facilities the crew need to give casualties the best possible care.
So, among a number of events being organised to help raise money, will be a high-profile auction featuring once in a lifetime prizes, which its hoped will help pay for the new station before the old one is going, going gone….
One of the items likely to attract a lot of attention is a jacket signed by seven times F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The jacket dates from 2008 when Hamilton, who recently celebrated 100 F1 wins, was driving for McLaren. It includes a letter of authenticity from the then McLaren CEO Ron Dennis.
Among the other incredible prizes already up for bidding will be a private hot air balloon flight for two at Longleat House and a one-night stay for two at The Shangri-La Shard Hotel in London, complete with Breakfast, Dinner and use of the pool and gym. There are also tickets to Cheltenham, golf days and even a Wimbledon tennis ball signed by Novak Djokovic.
The prestigious event will take place on Thursday 28 October on board HQS Wellington, a sloop which served during WW11 and is just a stone’s throw from Tower Lifeboat Station and its state of the art E-class lifeboat Hearn Medicine Chest.
The evening will be led by Dawsons auctioneers, assisted by members of the Tower RNLI crew.
Money raised at the auction will fund a new purpose-built station and give the crew – and those they rescue – the proper facilities they deserve.
‘I’m massively excited about a new station. It will make such a difference to our service on the Thames,’ said Tower RNLI Station Manager and helm Kevin Maynard. ‘By taking part in this auction you’ll be a part of the crew, helping to save lives in the heart of London for decades to come’.
Tickets, for the event, which includes a three-course dinner with drinks, can be booked via Eventbrite on the following link:
Photos: Tower volunteer crew member Nazrawi Mamoneh wearing the Lewis Hamilton signed jacket which is bound to attract a lot of interest at the auction.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Tower is the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat station in the UK, situated next to Waterloo Bridge. The station has a crew on standby 24/7 and since it was opened in 2002, more than 2,000 people have been rescued and 334 lives saved.
The current station, which floats on the River Thames, is old and cramped and lacks the facilities that the crew need to give the best possible care to casualties which is why the RNLI is running an appeal to help build a new lifeboat station that is fit for the future.
For more information or to donate to the Tower Appeal, please visit RNLI.org/towerstation
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 142,700 lives.
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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.