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Port Talbot RNLI fundraiser for Olivia Finch

Lifeboats News Release

Olivia Finch steals RNLI volunteer crew’s heart during a recent visit.

RNLI/James Jennings

In June 2022 Olivia Finch and family popped into the Port Talbot RNLI station to look at the boat and tractor.

Volunteer crew member James Jennings said; ‘It was a pleasure to show Olivia and her family around.When she left Olivia took a piece of my heart with her’.

At the start of the year, two year old Olivia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which comes with a 50% survival rate. Olivia is currently undergoing an aggressive treatment plan at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff, which will last at least 18 months.

James says; 'We get a lot of support from the local community and I thought it was time to give something back and no one is more deserving than Olivia’.

During a team meeting the RNLI volunteer crew unanimously voted to host a fundraiser and spoke to local pantomime legends at Taibach RFC.

The Taibach RFC pantomime has been keeping people entertained for 55 years with tens of thousands having seen their renowned Christmas pantomimes.

Aled of the Taibach RFC panto group says; 'We were delighted to be asked to put on a show to support the RNLI in their fundraising efforts for Olivia. We enjoy making people laugh especially when times are tough and to support local causes’.

On July 22 2022 a Murder Mystery night at the Circus took place bringing people together for a ‘who done it’. On the night everyone was a budding detective searching for clues to the identity of the murderer!

Along with ticket sales and a raffle £700 was raised for the Olivia Finch appeal.

Port Talbot RNLI would like to thank the guys at Taibach Panto for putting on a superb night and to the Gas Club for playing host.

We wish Olivia all the very best in her recovery and for the future

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea and is reliant on voluntary donations to power our lifesaving work across the UK.


RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Kirstee David, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07947747531 or Claire Elshaw, Regional Media Officer on 07468353082 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 33678

RNLI/James Jennings

RNLI/Kirstee David

Murder Mystery Night at the Circus cast

RNLI/Kirstee David

Olivia, Dad and Sister

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.

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