First fundraiser of the year for Walmer RNLI

A wet, breezy and chilly Saturday 8 January did little to dampen the enthusiasm of Walmer volunteers and sponsor and local businessman Tom Ledger’s Leaf Tree Services as they set about chipping a forest of Christmas trees for Walmer’s third annual lifeboat fundraiser. Over 500 trees were chipped, with more to be dealt with over the next couple of days.

Prior to the event which was advertised as’ Recycle your tree to help save a life at sea’, a compound was set up next to the lifeboat station on Walmer Green from 26 December to enable people to drop off their trees. A leafleting, banner and poster campaign around the town before Christmas, a live radio interview on BBC Radio Kent by Lifeboat Press Officer Chris Winslade, articles in the local press and the offer of a collection service by volunteers contributed to the number of trees recycled. Donations were collected in cash and via a Just Giving page.

So far, nearly £2,000 has been raised by the event with more donations expected. The tree chippings are used for biofuel, a source of renewable energy, some of which goes to help power Discovery Park, a multi-business science park in Sandwich. Plans are already being discussed for a similar event next year. Organiser and Walmer helm Dan Sinclair said. ’As ever, we would like to thank our friends in Walmer, Deal and surrounding area for their support and local businesses for agreeing to advertise the event.’

Notes to editors

Walmer lifeboat station was established in 1856.

It currently operates two inshore lifeboats – a B Class Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan and a smaller D Class Duggie Rodbard II.

Crews have received 28 Awards for Gallantry

Photo 1 Walmer volunteers and sponsor gear up for work

RNLI media contacts

• Chris Winslade, Lifeboat Press Officer, Walmer Lifeboat Station on 01304 374475 or 07906 623037 [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 07785 296252, [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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.