Four boxing Day dippers from Middlesbrough braved a very chilly North Sea to raise over £350.00 for the RNLI recently when they took part in the annual Hartlepool Round Table Boxing Day Dip at Seaton Carew.
RNLI/Tom Collins
Hartlepool RNLI volunteer Ken Hay with Boxing Day dippers(left to right) Vicky, Hannah, Gail and Katie Rhodes.
Vicky Rhodes and family members Hannah, Gail and Katie decided to fundraise for the RNLI after watching the television programme 'Saving Lives at Sea'.
Following the dip Vicky said "It was awful, very painful and freezing cold but at the same time we had great fun and we still enjoyed it and we will do it again for the RNLI next year.
We admire the volunteer lifeboat crews for going out on days like that and probably worse. Hopefully our fundraiser will help save lives at sea and I must thank everyone who sponsored us, there support has been amazing."
Hartlepool RNLI lifeboat station operations manager Chris Hornsey said . "It's thanks to Vicky and her family and our supporters throughout the country that we are able to provide our volunteer crews with the best kit and training available and be on call 24-7 for anyone who needs our help at sea. On behalf of us all at the Ferry Road lifeboat station I would like to say a massive thank you to the ladies for there very generous donation."
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.
