Celebrating the RNLI volunteers who help save lives at sea
The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to the charity and thanking them for all their time and dedication during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June.*
This year, it coincides with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the RNLI’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen.
Volunteers at the charity that saves lives at sea, will also be celebrating along with staff and supporters on ‘Thank You Day’ on Sunday 5 June. The RNLI and the Royal Voluntary Service are inviting people to join a ‘Cheers for Volunteers’ moment and say a big ‘thank you’ to volunteers and to raise a glass or mug to those who have done so much over the last few years.*
Volunteers are vital to the RNLI’s success, they make up over 95% of its people. Supporters are inspired to donate towards the lifesaving work because it is carried out by people who give up their time to do extraordinary things.
Donna McReath, RNLI Strategic Volunteering Development Manager, said: 'Our charity has over 35,000 volunteers in over 100 different roles from lifesaving crew to volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers, fundraisers, shop to water safety volunteers.
‘I would like to thank each and every one of our volunteers. We couldn’t do what we do without their vital support and the time and effort they generously dedicate to their roles. They are all lifesavers. I’ll be raising a glass on Sunday and hope you’ll join me by raising a glass (or mug) too.’
Donna added: ‘We’re always looking for new volunteers to join our charity to help us continue saving lives at sea. It’s a very rewarding experience, a good way to meet new friends and a great opportunity to develop CV enhancing skills.’
To find out more, please visit: https://rnli.org/support-us/volunteer
Notes to editors
- Volunteers’ Week (UK) is run by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and it’s an annual event. To find out more visit: https://volunteersweek.org/
- Volunteer thank you day ‘Cheers for Volunteers’ takes place on Sunday 5 June: https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering/cheers-for-volunteers-on-thank-you-day/
RNLI Picture caption
RNLI volunteers, photo credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams.
RNLI media contacts
For more information, please contact Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Media Officer, North East and East: 07824 518641, or email: [email protected],uk
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.