Happisburgh RNLI Volunteers held their first Open Day in three years.

The sun shone and the morning started early with the Station’s D/Class Russell Pickering being launched on its normal Sunday morning exercise for crew training.

The shore crew and other volunteers set up the stalls, offering shop items, books, puzzles etc, plus food and drinks. On return of Russell Pickering, the boat was cleaned and made ready for service. It was placed on display along with the Station’s Atlantic 85 Howard Bell.

The Station had its Community Safety Team giving safety advice to the local community and holiday makers, whilst emphasising that the information given is just as relevant when they get home as when they’re by the coast. The Station has had a defibrillator fitted to the exterior and the Ambulance First Responders showed visitors how to do CPR and how the defibrillator works so they can save lives themselves if needed.

The shop volunteers were selling goods to raise funds for the RNLI; other volunteers were talking to locals to see if anyone was willing to help on the Station. We need crew, shore crew, Community Safety Team members, shop volunteers, fundraisers and there are many more roles to fill. The day was a success as we recruited 3 new shop volunteers.

If anybody is interested in becoming a volunteer then visit the Station or shop for more information. The RNLI shop is open daily.

People had the chance to talk to crew while being shown the boats and learning about the Station history.

The key water safety advice for visiting a beach is:

· Stop and think – Always swim in a safe place.

· Stay together – Always swim with an adult; younger children and non-swimmers should always be within arm’s reach.

· Float – If you find yourself in trouble in the water, float on your back like a starfish.

· Call 999 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard

Notes to editors:

· Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer PHILIP SMITH

Mobile 07766007936 E-mail: [email protected]

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.

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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.