Cardigan RNLI calls on local community to throw charity a lifeline
Cardigan RNLI is today putting out its own SOS to the local area in the hope more volunteers can be sought to keep the service afloat. The station will host a recruitment day this Saturday (23 October) where members of the public can come to find out more about the various roles on offer.
Operational roles include inshore RNLI lifeboat crew and shore crew, who help ensure the lifeboat can go to sea. An appeal has also been launched to find Deputy Launch Authorities to authorise the launch of the lifeboat. A launch vehicle driver is also sought.
Cardigan RNLI are keen to recruit many roles, where volunteers can help save lives at sea, without even getting their feet wet. The station is keen to attract a Lifeboat Press Officer to raise awareness of the crew’s lifesaving work, a Lifeboat Administration Officer and a Treasurer.
As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies for income and at Cardigan, the fundraising branch is also keen to find new volunteers to boost the funds raised locally. Volunteers are also sought to help run the Cardigan RNLI shop.
Sarah Morgan, who has been a volunteer crew member at Cardigan RNLI for the past two and a half years says:
‘Being a volunteer for the RNLI brings me joy on so many levels. The strong bonds I've made with my fellow volunteer crew is something I treasure. The team is everything from the volunteers in the shop to the lifeboat crew who go to sea, and all the roles in between. We all work together to get the best out of one another which enables us to work as a team to save lives at sea.
‘I enjoy the challenge both physically and mentally, learning new skills and gaining knowledge under the guidance of the senior crew members, whilst getting to enjoy the beauty of the sea and our fantastic coastline. The service we provide is such a rewarding one and I can honestly say that joining was the best choice I've made.’
During the recruitment day which will run between 1-5pm, current volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions and help explain the vacancies in more detail.
RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Roger Smith said:
‘Volunteering with the RNLI gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community and to help us save lives at sea. Our charity couldn’t function without the help of our selfless and hardworking volunteers. If you’re interested in helping our charity, I encourage you to drop into the volunteer recruitment day and find out more.’
The charity is hoping to attract people from all walks of life and most new recruits don’t need to have sea-going experience to get involved.
Find out more about volunteer roles at the RNLI here on our Volunteering Pages
When: Saturday 23 October, 2021, between 1 – 5pm.
Where: Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station, Poppit Sands.
RNLI media contact
For more information contact Danielle Rush, RNLI Media Relations Manager for Wales on 07786 668829
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.