Swimmers Splash The Cash For Largs RNLI

Crowds turned out in the September sunshine helping to raise a fantastic total of £482.29.

Jane Wilson, who established the Largs Aubery Sea Swimmers in September 2020, decided to celebrate their ‘birthday’ with an open-water swim followed by a coffee and cake event to raise funds for the RNLI.

The open water swimming group has helped its members to follow safe swimming practice alongside allowing friendships to be formed, something they have found very important during recent months. They can be found swimming together on Sunday mornings and occasionally at other times during the week.

Jane explained the decision to fundraise for the RNLI was an easy one; she can see Largs lifeboat station from her garden, regulary observing the boat out for training and callouts. The swimmers are very well organised and equipped for their dips, following advice issued by the RNLI, however Jane explained the link with the local lifeboat was important to her as if something were to go wrong during one of their swims she would hope the lifeboat would come to their aid.

The coffee and cake event was well attended by members of the swimming group, friends and family, and also passers-by and raised £482.29. Volunteer crew from the RNLI lifeboat in Largs were delighted to be invited along, some in full ILB kit, chatting to adults and children alike about their role in the crew and the RNLI.

Ronnie Copeland, who attended the event as a Community Educator, said: “If you are planning to go open water swimming it is important to be prepared, checking you have the right equipment, have checked the weather and tides and you have a buddy to swim with. Make sure to take a mobile phone in a waterproof case so you have a way to call for help. In an emergency don’t panic, Float To Live, and always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

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.