Busy Bank Holiday weekend for Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteers
Volunteers from Walton and Frinton Royal National Lifeboat Institution were kept busy over the Bank Holiday weekend when their annual fundraising weekend was interrupted by a shout.
On Saturday 27 August, crew and fundraising volunteers were out bright and early in the morning with collecting buckets in both Walton and Frinton.
With a successful street collection completed the volunteer crew of the all-weather lifeboat Irene Muriel Rees barely had time for lunch before the pagers sounded.
Just after 3.30pm UK Coastguard requested that the crew investigate reports of a number of people in an inflatable drifting off Frinton beach.
The crew proceeded to the area but found only a gentleman in a kayak who required no assistance, after making a further check and with the Coastguard satisfied that there were no further people or craft of concern, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to the berth on Walton Pier.
On Sunday 28 August the team were back in action again with the fundraising volunteers organising a shore-side fun day with games and an HGV driving simulator for visitors to enjoy.
Meanwhile the lifeboat crew carried out a rescue demonstration just offshore with a simulated fire, mock casualties in a life raft and a sinking vessel for the Tamar and her daughter craft to ‘rescue’.
A full commentary kept spectators informed of what was happening as well as giving information about the Tamar and her capabilities.
With the ‘rescue’ complete the crew lined the deck of the all-weather lifeboat to cheers and waves from the spectators.
Speaking after the event Chairman of Walton and Frinton Fundraising Guild, Roy Openshaw said: 'I am delighted that we were able to raise a total of £1223.47 for Walton and Frinton RNLI over the Bank Holiday weekend with several activities, including an exercise featuring our lifeboat.
'I would like to thank the crew, fundraising team and the public for their support in making the weekend such a great success.'
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please telephone Miranda Rayner, Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799691852 or [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
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